Replacement
WARNING:^ Airbags and related equipment (e.g. steering wheel) must only be disassembled, assembled and repaired by trained Audi Service Department personnel.
^ Before working on any airbag, steering wheel or steering column components, first always disconnect the battery.
^ After the battery and airbag power supply have been disconnected, make sure that the front wheels face straight ahead when the steering wheel is removed to ensure that the airbag spiral spring will not be damaged).
^ Make sure that no person is in the vehicle when connecting the battery Ground strap.
CAUTION: Before disconnecting the battery, determine the correct coding for the anti-theft radio.
REMOVAL
- Disconnect battery Ground strap.
- Remove driver's-side airbag unit.
Refer to Airbags and Seatbelts.
- Remove screws (arrows in illustration) and remove upper section of steering column trim.
- Disconnect airbag spiral spring harness connector on right side behind steering column trim (gently depress lug in center part of connector with screwdriver).
Refer to Airbags and Seatbelts.
- Place steering wheel and wheels in straight-ahead position.
- Remove steering wheel. Steering Wheel
- Loosen clamp on steering column switch carrier.
- Remove steering column switches.
- Remove instrument cluster.
- Disconnect harness connector from steering lock housing.
- Disconnect shift lock cable from ignition/starter switch.
Refer to Transmission and Drivetrain
1994-95 Model Shown, Others Similar:
- Pry caps (2 in illustration) out of knee bar.
- Remove hex bolts (1 in illustration).
- Remove knee bar (5 in illustration).
- Disconnect steering column from universal joint flange (arrows).
- Pry steering column approximately 15 mm (9/16 in.) away from universal joint.
- Disconnect steering column tube from bracket.
- Remove bolts from bracket.
- Push steering column and steering column tube downward, then turn slightly and remove from below instrument panel.
INSTALLING
- Slide steering column from below into opening in instrument panel.
- Insert steering column tube into bracket.
- Install screws in bracket and column tube.
- Insert ignition key in steering lock.
- Release steering lock so that steering can be turned as necessary.
- Press steering column onto universal joint flange as shown, and install fasteners.
- Slide column tube up and down to align in bracket until bolts can be tightened without stress or preload on assembly.
- Attach steering column tube to bracket.
CAUTION: If it is not possible to achieve correct alignment as described above, loosen the steering gear at its mounting points and move it as necessary.
- Attach harness connector to steering lock housing.
NOTE: If the steering column and steering column tube have been separated from each other, the spring has to be mounted on the steering column with the clamping washers, refer below.
- To install steering column spring and lock washers:
- Install spring over steering column, and place lock washers in position.
- Thread spindle (a in illustration) of tensioner 3168 onto steering column as far as possible.
- Thread nut (b in illustration) back as necessary.
- Hold spindle (a in illustration) and tighten hex nut (b in illustration) to compress spring until reaching specified dimension (c in illustration) (between end of steering column tube and end of special tool).
Dimension (c in illustration): = 10-12 mm (approx. 7/16 inch)
- Back off nut (b in illustration) and unscrew spindle (a in illustration) from steering column.
- Check dimension (d in illustration).
Dimension (d in illustration): = 54.5-55.5 mm (approx. 2-5/32 inch)
NOTE: If dimension (d in illustration) is not as specified, re-install tensioner 3168 and adjust until washer position and dimension (d in illustration) are correct
- Install instrument cluster.
- Install steering column switches.
- Connect airbag spiral spring
- Install steering wheel.
NOTE: Steering wheel spokes must be horizontal when front wheels are in straight-ahead position.
- Install and reconnect airbag.
- Install driver's side knee bar.
WARNING: Make sure that no person is in the vehicle when connecting the battery Ground strap.
- Connect battery Ground strap.
- Check steering column switch functions.