Suspension - Rear, Awd Audi A6 C5

DESCRIPTION

Rear suspension consists of a rear subframe (axle beam), upper and lower control arms, lower track rods, wheel bearing housing, stabilizer bar with end links and strut assemblys. (Scheme 5)and (Scheme 6).

Scheme 5

Exploded View Of Rear Suspension Control Arms. Scheme 6

Transverse Measurements

Check gap at each side. (Scheme 7) Ensure gaps are equal.

Scheme 7

Longitudinal Measurements

Check measurement between rear subframe and bolt on body. (Scheme 8) Ensure measurement is 19.76-19.92" (502-506 mm).

Scheme 8

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES

Note. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

AXLE SHAFT

Note. See AXLE SHAFTS - RWD article in DRIVE AXLES section for axle shaft removal, installation and overhaul.

LOWER CONTROL ARM

Note. Check wheel alignment after servicing.

Removal

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove ABS sensor wiring. Remove parking brake cable bracket. Remove both inner lower control arm bolts. (Scheme 6) Remove parking brake cable from lower control arm. Remove strut assembly to lower control arm bolt. Remove eccentric bolt from outer lower control arm. Remove lower control arm.

Disassembly (Front Inner Bushing)

Note. Front bushing is not serviceable. If bushing is faulty, replace lower control arm.

Disassembly & Reassembly (Rear Inner Bushing)

Using press and adapters, press out and in rear lower control arm bushing. (Scheme 9)

Scheme 9

Installation

Reverse removal procedure. Use NEW nuts and bolts. Tighten all lower control arm nuts and bolts with vehicle on the ground. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Bleed brake system. Check wheel alignment.

STRUT ASSEMBLY

Note. Check wheel alignment after servicing.

Raise and support vehicle. Remove caliper bolts. Remove stabilizer bar bracket at body. (Scheme 5) Remove stabilizer bar upper link bolt. Remove upper control arm-to-wheel bearing housing bolt. Remove upper strut assembly bolts. Remove strut-to-lower control arm bolt. Push wheel bearing housing down and remove strut assembly.

Disassembly

Put strut assembly in tool. (Scheme 10) Using spring compressor, compress strut spring until upper spring mount is free. Remove upper nut. Remove mounting bracket and damper ring. Remove spring compressor and spring.

Scheme 10

Reassembly

To install, reverse disassembly procedure. Ensure spring ends are against rubber stops. Use NEW shock rod nut. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Remove strut assembly from tool.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure pins on upper strut mount are toward outside of vehicle. Use NEW control arm and lower strut assembly bolts and nuts. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Remove drive axle bolt. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove and support brake caliper. Remove brake rotor. Remove backing plate. (Scheme 6) Remove ABS sensor. Remove upper stabilizer bar link bolt. Remove outer track rod bolt. Mark position of lower control arm outer eccentric bolt. Remove lower control arm outer eccentric bolt. Remove upper control arm outer bolt. Remove wheel bearing housing.

Lower Bushing

Put wheel bearing housing in vise. Slightly bend bushing collar. Install Tool 3292 between bushing collar and wheel bearing housing. (Scheme 11) Tighten Tool 3292/4 on tool 3292. Install pin 3293/1 in tool 3292. Install Puller 3349 between bushing collar and wheel bearing housing on opposite side of wheel bearing housing. (Scheme 12) Tighten spindle until bushing is pulled out slightly. Tighten bolts in puller 3349. Install 3292/2 on tool 3292. (Scheme 13) Remove bushing half by tightening bolt. Install Thrust piece 3349/1 and spindle from Tool 3292. (Scheme 14) Remove second half of bushing by turning spindle. To install bushing, put bushing and Tool 3292/3 on wheel bearing housing. (Scheme 15) Tighten spindle until bushing is installed.

Scheme 11

Scheme 12

Scheme 13

Scheme 14

Scheme 15

Wheel Bearing

Using press, remove and install wheel bearing. (Scheme 16)

Scheme 16

Wheel Hub

Using press, remove and install wheel hub. (Scheme 17)

Scheme 17

To install, reverse removal procedure. Always use NEW self-locking nuts and upper outer control arm-to-wheel bearing housing bolt. Perform final tightening of control arm to wheel housing bolts with vehicle weight on wheels. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Check wheel alignment after servicing.

REAR SUBFRAME

Note. Rear subframe may also be referred to as axle beam.

Remove wheels. Remove exhaust behind converter. Tie driveshaft to body to prevent damage. Mark driveshaft for installation. Disconnect driveshaft from differential. Disconnect parking brake cable at calipers. Loosen parking brake cable retainers and remove parking brake cables. Remove and support brake calipers. (Scheme 5) Disconnect and remove ABS sensors. Remove lower strut assembly bolts. Using transmission jack, support differential. Remove rear subframe bolts. Lower rear subframe and axle assembly. To install, reverse removal procedure. Arrows on rear subframe washers must point to rear of vehicle. Use tap to clean threads in differential flange. Use NEW subframe bolts, lower strut assembly bolts, brake caliper bolts and driveshaft bolts. Align rear subframe. See REAR SUBFRAME under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Adjust parking brake. Check wheel alignment.

Disassembly (Bushings)

Pry aluminum washer from bushing. Mark location of semicircular cutout in bushing on rear subframe. (Scheme 18) Using tools, pull out bushing. (Scheme 19)

Scheme 18

Scheme 19

Identification (Front & Rear Subframe Bushing)

Front and rear bushings are different. Front bushings are larger. Ensure bushings are installed in proper location. (Scheme 20)

Scheme 20

Assembly (Bushings)

Apply lubricant. Assemble new bushing and tool on subframe. (Scheme 21) Align bushing with mark made on subframe during disassembly. (Scheme 18) Have helper align bushing and tool when installing. Tighten nut to press bushing into subframe. Ensure bushing is installed squarely.

Scheme 21

UPPER CONTROL ARM

Note. Check wheel alignment after servicing.

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove upper control arm. (Scheme 6) To install, reverse removal procedure. Always use NEW nuts and bolts. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

Disassembly & Reassembly

Using press and adapters, press out upper control arm outer bushings. (Scheme 22) Using press and adapters, install bushings into upper control arm. (Scheme 22)

Scheme 22

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

Note. Always use NEW brake caliper bolts, upper inner and outer control arm bolts, subframe bolts, lower strut assembly bolt, lower inner control arm bolts and all self-locking nuts. Replace any worn or corroded fasteners.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
• REAR SUBFRAME