SUBFRAME, Lowering

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Steering wheel locking device, commercially available

Procedure

Vehicles with High-Voltage System:

CAUTION:

There is a risk of fatal injury due to high voltage.

Electrocution by direct contact or electric arc can cause severe bodily injury or fatal injury.

- Have an Audi high-voltage technician (HVT) or an Audi high-voltage expert (HVE) de-energize the high-voltage system.

-- De-energize the high-voltage system. Refer to Appropriate Service Information .

Continuation for All Vehicles:

-- Turn the steering wheel in the straight position.

-- Switch the ignition off and open the driver door so the steering wheel lock engages.

-- Use the steering wheel locking device -2- to lock the steering wheel -1- when the wheels are in straight-ahead position.

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LHD Vehicles:

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-- Remove the buttons -arrows-.

-- Free up the carpet in the area of the universal joint and push it slightly rearward.

RHD Vehicles:

-- Remove the footrest. Refer to FOOTREST, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

Continuation for All Vehicles:

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-- Remove the bolt -1- and remove the universal joint -2- from the steering gear in direction of -arrow- (example illustration above).

-- Remove the noise insulation. Refer to OVERVIEW - NOISE INSULATION .

-- Remove the tunnel underbody trim panel. Refer to OVERVIEW - UNDERBODY TRIM PANELS .

Vehicles with High-Voltage System:

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-- Remove the bolt -1- and the nuts -3-.

-- Tie up the bracket -2- with the High-Voltage Heater (PTC) -Z115- to the side.

-- Remove the double bolts -arrows- on the bracket for the exhaust pipe.

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Continuation for All Vehicles:

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-- Remove the bolts -arrows- on the exhaust system bracket.

-- Remove the bolts -1- for the pendulum support.

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-- Remove the left and right nuts -1- from the coupling rod -3- to do so counterhold with a four-point socket on the threaded pin.

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-- Remove the left and right coupling rod from the stabilizer bar -2-.

-- Vehicles with level control system sensor: disconnect the left and right connector -1- for the front level control system sensor.

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-- Disconnect the connector -1- for the Oil Level Thermal Sensor -G266- and free up the wire on the subframe. There are different versions depending on the engine.

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-- Secure the subframe. Refer to SUBFRAME, SECURING .

-- Slightly lower the subframe with the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS6931 .

TIP:

Pay attention that the wires for the power steering and oil level/oil temperature sensor are not over-stretched.

-- Free up the left wiring guide on the subframe -arrow-.

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LHD Vehicles:

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-- Unclip the bracket -arrows- on the steering gear -2- and free up the wires -1- the rest of the routing.

-- Disconnect the connectors -1 and 2- from the steering gear.

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-- Lower the subframe a maximum of 100 mm.

RHD Vehicles:

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-- Unclip the cable holders -arrows- from the steering gear -2-.

-- Unclip all other cable clips on the steering gear.

-- Disconnect the connectors -1 and 2- from the steering gear.

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-- Lower the subframe a maximum of 100 mm.

Installing

Install in the reverse order of removal while noting the following:

Vehicles with Aluminum Subframe:

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-- Check if the intermediate plate -1- is inserted between the subframe -2- and the body.

Continuation for All Vehicles:

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Make sure the seal is seated correctly: the ridge of the steering gear housing -2- must close all around -arrows-.
Coat the seal -1- on the steering gear with lubricant such as soft soap before installing.
After attaching the steering gear to the drive axle, make sure that the seal on the steering gear rests on the mounting plate without kinks and seals the opening to the footwell correctly. Water leak and/or noises may be the result.
Make sure that the sealing surface is clean.

CAUTION:

Improper handling increases the risk of damaging the threads in the vehicle body.

- Never use an impact wrench to loosen or tighten.

- Position the bolts by hand only and screw in the first threads.

-- Removing the Locating Pin:T10486/1 . Refer to Removing the Locating Pin .

-- Tighten the universal joint. Refer to STEERING COLUMN, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Install the footrest. Refer to FOOTREST, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

Vehicles with High-Voltage System:

-- Secure the bracket with the High-Voltage Heater (PTC) -Z115-. Refer to HIGH-VOLTAGE HEATER (PTC) -Z115- (WITH HIGH-VOLTAGE HEATER (PTC) CONTROL MODULE -J848-), REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

CAUTION:

There is a risk of fatal injury due to high voltage.

Electrocution by direct contact or electric arc can cause severe bodily injury or fatal injury.

- Have an Audi high-voltage technician or an Audi high-voltage expert bring the high-voltage system back into service.

-- Re-energize the high-voltage system. Refer to the appropiate service information .

Continuation for All Vehicles:

-- Overview table for when an axle alignment is needed. Refer to NEED FOR AXLE ALIGNMENT, EVALUATING .

Tightening Specifications

Refer to OVERVIEW - SUBFRAME
Refer to OVERVIEW - ASSEMBLY MOUNTS .
Refer to OVERVIEW - MUFFLER .
Refer to OVERVIEW - NOISE INSULATION .
Refer to OVERVIEW - UNDERBODY TRIM PANELS .