SUBFRAME, Securing

Special tools and workshop equipment required 

• Engine and Gearbox Jack :VAS 6931 
  Fig 1: Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS6931 or VAG1383A

  Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC
• Gearbox Support :T40173 
  Fig 2: Gearbox Support T140173

  Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC
• Locating Pins :T40329  , not illustrated
• Hand drill
• 8.5 mm diameter drill

Gearbox Support :T40173  , Preparing

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the mounting elements -1- from the Gearbox Support :T40173  .

-- Rotate the mounting bracket -2- and drill an 8.5 mm diameter hole -arrow-.

-- Secure the mounting bracket with the bolts and move it to the side.

TIP:

The mounting elements are mounted on the Gearbox Support :T40173  later.

Procedure 

• Vehicles with active suspension: pay attention to the safety precautions. Refer to SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN WORKING ON VEHICLES WITH ACTIVE SUSPENSION .

-- Remove the rear wheels. Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .

-- Remove the left and right underbody trim panels. Refer to UNDERBODY TRIM PANELS, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Loosen the left and right rear wheel housing liner in the rear area and push slightly to the side. Refer to REAR WHEEL HOUSING LINER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Exhaust system without separating point: remove the muffler. Refer to MUFFLER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING (2.0L) / MUFFLER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING (3.0L) .

-- Exhaust system with separating point: remove the exhaust pipe. Refer to OVERVIEW - MUFFLER (2.0L) / OVERVIEW - MUFFLER (3.0L) .

-- Versions with air suspension: perform the system bleeding. Refer to AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM, FILLING AND BLEEDING .

-- Remove the left and right spring. Refer to SPRING, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Angle the Gearbox Support :T40173  with the adjusting bolt toward the rear -arrow-.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Support the subframe with the Engine and Gearbox Jack : VAS 6931  and the Gearbox Support :T40173  on the rear final drive as shown.

-- Remove the diagonal braces. Refer to UNDERBODY TRIM PANEL .

-- Tighten theLocating Pins :T40329  of the left and right in the front bonded rubber bushing to 20 Nm.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Mount the prepared mounting element -1- to the threaded hole -2- on the Gearbox Support :T40173  as shown.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Angle the Gearbox Support :T40173  with the adjusting bolt toward the front until the rear mounting bracket contacts the subframe.

-- Compensate the height several times with the Engine and Gearbox Jack :VAS 6931  .

-- Secure the subframe with the tensioning strap of the engine and gearbox jack.

-- Remove the bolts -arrow- on the left and right one after the other. Install a locating pin from the Locating Pins : T40329  .

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Tighten locating pin to 20 Nm.

• The subframe position is now secured.

Remove the Locating Pins :T40329  .

Removal is performed in the reverse order. Note the following:

-- Only remove one locating pin at a time in a diagonal sequence. Install and tighten a new bolt in this location.

-- Install the springs. Refer to SPRING, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- A road test must be performed after completing repairs. If steering wheel is crooked, the wheels must be aligned. Refer to AXLE ALIGNMENT .

Tightening Specifications

• Refer to OVERVIEW - SUBFRAME 
• Refer to OVERVIEW - UNDERBODY BRACING .
• Refer to OVERVIEW - MUFFLER (2.0L) / OVERVIEW - MUFFLER (3.0L) .
• Refer to OVERVIEW - REAR WHEEL HOUSING LINER .
• Refer to OVERVIEW - UNDERBODY TRIM PANELS .
• Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES