Rear Suspension, All Wheel Drive (AWD)

Subframe with Attachments

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Torque wrench (V.A.G 1332)

• Engine-/transmission jack (V.A.G 1383 A) with universal transmission support (V.A.G 1359/2)

Removing

• The vehicle must be resting on it wheels during any subsequent work where the drive axle collar bolt must be loosened. Loosening collar bolt for drive axle, refer to => [ Drive Axle Outer Joint Collar Bolt, Loosening and Tightening ] Procedures.

Affect Vehicles with Coil Springs

- Remove coil spring. Refer to => [ Coil Spring ] Coil Spring.

Affects Vehicles with Air Suspension

- Place the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to => [ Positioning Vehicle on Hoist and Wheels ] Positioning Vehicle on Hoist and Wheels.

- Bleed air spring at rear axle. Refer to => [ Air Spring, Bleeding and Filling ] Rear Suspension.

Affects All Vehicles

- Remove exhaust system rear muffler.

- Disconnect electric wires for electronic parking brake and ABS wheel speed sensor, and in vehicles with automatic headlamp range control or air spring shock absorbers, disconnect harness connectors and unclip from upper control arm.

- Remove cover - 2 -.






- Loosen driveshaft from rear final drive.

- Remove brake caliper.

- Secure the brake caliper to the body so that the weight of the caliper does not stress or damage the brake hose or brake line.

- Disconnect threaded connection - 1 - and disengage shock absorber.






- Place (V.A.G 1383 A) with (V.A.G 1359/2) under subframe and secure using tension strap.







Before -LOOSENING- subframe bolts, secure vehicle against tipping over (e.g. load luggage compartment with approximately 50 kg).

- Remove bolts - 1 - and - 3 -.






- Remove the reinforcement - 2 -.

- Remove the bolts - 1 -.






• For the sake of a better illustration, only the left side of the vehicle is shown.

- Carefully lower subframe with components.

• Make sure there is sufficient clearance for shock absorber and electrical wires while lowering.

Installing

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

Tightening specifications, refer to => [ Subframe, Stabilizer Bar and Coupling Rod Assembly Overview, AWD ] Subframe, Stabilizer Bar and Coupling Rod Assembly Overview, AWD.

- The center of the subframe mount holes must be aligned to the bolting points on the body.

• Install coil springs or air springs, respectively, only if threaded connection of subframe has been tightened to specified tightening specification.

- In vehicles with air spring suspension, install air spring. Refer to => [ Air Spring ] Air Spring.

- Perform an axle alignment. Refer to => [ Wheel Alignment ] Wheel Alignment.

The axle alignment on the front and rear axles must be performed on a VW/Audi approved alignment rack.