Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Subframe with Attachments







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)

Vehicle Diagnostic, Testing and Information System (VAS 5051B)

Removing

The vehicle must be resting on it wheels during any subsequent work where the drive axle collar bolt must be loosened.

- Remove wheels.

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

- Remove the rear muffler.

- Disconnect the electrical wires to the Haldex clutch, ABS speed sensor and, on vehicles with a level control system sensor, the connectors and unclip.

- Remove the bolt - 2 - and washer - 1 -.






The washer - 1 - is installed on vehicles with an aluminum wheel bearing housing.

- Remove the clip - 1 -.






Do not disconnect the brake line.

- Pry off the securing clip - 1 - for the brake cable.






- Push the parking brake lever - 2 - in direction of arrow and unhook the parking brake cable - 3 -.

- Remove the bolt - 1 - and remove parking brake cable - 2 -.






Vehicles with a Bracket for the Parking Brake Cable






- Remove bracket - 1 - by pressing out rivet inner pin - arrow -.

Continuation for All Vehicles






- Unclip the speed sensor wire out of the bracket - 1 - - arrows -.

- Disconnect brake lines, items - 1 - and - 2 -.






- Mark installation position of mounting bracket on body.






- Remove the bolts - arrows -.

- Check for a factory-applied marking (colored dot) on the joint washer and Haldex clutch flange - arrows -. If there is not one, mark the location of the joint washer and the Haldex clutch flange to each other - arrows -.






- Remove rear driveshaft tube from rear final drive with joint washer and vibration damper - arrows -.






- Remove the center bracket screws - arrows - two turns.






- Support driveshaft at tunnel support with a piece of wood.






- Move rear driveshaft tube as far as possible in direction of transmission.


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

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






- Remove hex bolts - 1 - and - 2 -.






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

Applies to the Aluminum Subframe

- Carefully lower subframe with components.

When lowering, make sure there is enough clearance between the brake lines, electrical lines and centering pins to the driveshaft.

Applies to the Steel Subframe

- Carefully lower the subframe with its components approximately. 2 cm.

- Unclip the brake line on both sides - arrow -.






The clips will get damaged while doing this and will have to be replaced.

- Remove the brake line above the drive axle flange on the rear final drive - 1 - from the clips - arrows -.






The clips will get damaged while doing this and will have to be replaced.

- Carefully lower subframe with components.

Make sure there is enough clearance for brake lines, electrical lines and driveshaft centering pin when lowering.

Installing

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

Replace the damaged clips on the subframe for the brake line.

A new brake line must also be installed when replacing an aluminum subframe.

Attach the driveshaft to the rear final drive.

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

- Bleed the brake system.

- Perform headlamp basic setting. Refer to => [ Level Control System Sensor Assembly Overview ] Rear Suspension

- On vehicles with electronically-controlled damping (Audi magnetic ride), reprogram the control position using (VAS 5051B).

- Alignment is required, see Table. Refer to => [ An axle alignment is necessary when: ] Wheel Alignment.

Checking and aligning front/rear axle must take place on a VW/Audi recommended alignment stand.