Trapezoidal Link

Trapezoidal link, removing and installing

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
- Torque wrench V.A.G 1331
- Torque wrench V.A.G 1332

Removing
- Remove underbody trim in front of trapezoidal link.





Convertible only
- Remove diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 -.

Continued for all vehicles
- Remove coil spring

Vehicles with comfort/ heavy-duty suspension
- Remove stone shield from trapezoidal link.

Continued for all vehicles
- Loosen bolts and detach parking brake cable from bracket below trapezoidal link.





- On vehicles with headlight range control, remove bolt - 1 -.





- Disconnect cable guide for speed sensor - 2 -
- Remove bolt - 1 -. Counterhold joint with open-end wrench.
- Mark position of eccentric bolt - 5 - on subframe.
- Remove trapezoidal link (items 3 to 6).

Note:
^ On vehicles with all wheel drive and for the tight trapezoidal link on vehicles with front wheel drive, the subframe must be lowered slightly in order to remove the bolts.

All wheel drive vehicles
- Unbolt drive shaft from rear final drive.
- Secure drive shaft to body with wire.
- Remove shock absorber from wheel bearing housing.
- Disconnect parking brake cables from fuel tank.
- Detach brake caliper
- Remove heat shield from right drive axle (when removing right-side trapezoidal link).
- Lower subframe slightly.

Removing left trapezoidal link (vehicles with front wheel drive)
- Remove heat shield in front of eccentric bolt from body and push to the side.

Removing right trapezoidal link (vehicles with front wheel drive)
- Remove shock absorber from wheel bearing housing.
- Detach brake caliper
- Lower subframe slightly.

Continued for all vehicles





- Detach trapezoidal link - items 3 to 6 -.

Note:
^ Make sure that the subframe is securely held.

Installing
Replace bolts and self-locking nuts [] instructions in exploded views.
- Install subframe.
- Install shock absorber.
- Install brake caliper.
- Bolt drive shaft to rear final drive.
- Install heat shield for drive axle.
Bonded rubber bushings can only be turned to a limited extent. The mountings of the suspension links must only be tightened when the suspension is in the curb weight position.





- Tighten bolt connections - 3 -, - 4 - and - 6 -.
- Tighten nut - 5 - (set eccentric bolt to its original position).
- Install cable for speed sensor - 2 -.
- Tighten bolt - 1 -.
- Install coil spring.
- Attach parking brake cable at bracket.





- On vehicles with headlight range control, tighten bolt - 1 -.
- Perform wheel alignment.
Wheel alignment must be performed on wheel alignment equipment recommended by Audi.

Vehicles with comfort/heavy-duty suspension
- Install stone shield and tighten bolts.





Convertible only
- Install diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 -.

Continued for all vehicles
- Install underbody trim.