Rear Axle, Servicing (All-Wheel Drive Vehicles)

Rear Suspension Assembly Rear Axle, Rear Axle, Servicing (All-Wheel Drive Vehicles)





WARNING:
- Do not attempt to weld or straighten the load-bearing or wheel locating components of the rear suspension.

- Do not refuse fasteners that are worn or deformed in normal use.

- Some fasteners are designed to be used only once, and are unreliable and may fail if used a second time. This includes, but is not limited to, nuts) bolts, washers, circlips and cotter pins. Always follow recommendations in this repair information, replace these fasteners with new parts where indicated, and any other time it is deemed necessary by inspection.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to move a vehicle from which the drive axle has been removed. Otherwise wheel bearing damage will result. If the vehicle must be moved, install an outer CV joint in place of the drive axle.

1. Rear subframe
- After removing and installing, check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
- Pay attention to removing and installing on vehicles with headlight range control.
2. Self-locking nut
- Always replace
- 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.) + 1/4 turn (90°)
- Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when tightening nut
3. Bolt
- Always replace
4. Bolt
- Always replace
5. Lower control arm
- Pay attention to removing and installing on vehicles with headlight range control.
6. Eccentric bolt
- Adjusting axle camber.
- Do not turn more than 90° from left or right of center position (90° is minimum or maximum adjustment)
7. Self-locking nut
- Always replace
- 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.) + 1/4 turn (90°)
- Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when tightening nut
8. Support for adjusting camber
- Welded to control arm on both sides
- Make sure that eccentric bolt and washer are correctly located
9. Eccentric washer
10. Self-locking nut
- Always replace
- 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.) + 1/4 turn (90°)
- When tightening, hold upper control arm horizontal
- Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when tightening nut
11. Suspension strut
12. Wheel housing
13. Bolt washer
- 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.)
14. Bolt
- Always replace
15. Bolt
- Always replace
16. Upper control arm
17. Wheel bearing housing
18. Washer
- Always replace
19. Self-locking nut
- Always replace
- 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.) + 1/4-turn (90°)
20. Self-locking nut
- Always replace
- 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.)





21. Self-locking nut
- Always replace
- 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.)
22. Self-locking nut
- Always replace
- 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.)
- Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when tightening nut
23. Wheel bearing housing
24. Connecting link
25. Bolt
26. Self-locking nut
- Always replace
- 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.)
27. Stabilizer bar
- Different versions depending on suspension version
- Before replacing, refer to vehicle data label to determine correct version.
Suspension codes on data label:
- 1BA = Standard suspension
- 1BC = Special purpose suspension
- 1BP = Heavy duty suspension
- 1BE = Sports suspension
- 1BB = Heavy duty suspension
- 1BD = Audi S4
- 1BT = Heavy duty suspension
28. Bushing
- Different versions depending on suspension version
- Before replacing, refer to vehicle data label to determine correct version.
Suspension codes on vehicle data label:
- 1BA = Standard suspension
- 1BC = Special purpose suspension
- 1BP = Heavy duty suspension
- 1BE = Sports suspension
- 1BB = Heavy duty suspension
- 1BD = Audi S4
- 1BT = Heavy duty suspension
29. Bracket
30. Bolt
- 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)
31. Self-locking nut
- Always replace
- 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.)
- Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when tightening nut
32. Eccentric washer
33. Self-locking nut
- Always replace
34. Track rod
35. Eccentric bolt for adjusting wheel toe
- Adjusting axle toe.
- Do not turn more than 90° from left or right of center position (90° is minimum or maximum adjustment)

Information on weight codes (code number)
From model year 1998P, spring/shock assemblies will be classified according to weight codes (code number) so that suspension components can be matched easily.
The spring/shock assembly installed in the vehicle is indicated by the weight code on the vehicle data label.





Example of vehicle data label
A - Weight code for front suspension
B - Weight code for rear suspension
The vehicle data label is located in the spare wheel well and in the vehicle Maintenance booklet.
The weight codes can be used to identify the correct spring/shock assemblies, Refer to parts supplier.





The weight code for the different suspension versions is indicated by the arrow in the illustration.
- 1BA: Standard suspension
- 1BB: Heavy duty suspension (approx. 20 mm (3/4 inch) higher)
- 1BC: Special purpose vehicles
- 1BD: Sport suspension, Audi S4
- 1BE: Sport suspension
- 1BH: USA
- 1BT: Heavy duty suspension (approx. 7 mm or 1/4 inch higher)
- 1BP: Heavy duty suspension (same ride height as 1BA but with limited bump)