Specifications & Procedures: Other Audi A6 C5 facelift

IDENTIFYING SUSPENSION VARIATIONS

Various suspensions are offered as options. These variations are identified by part numbers. Running gear version installed in vehicle is indicated by the factory weight code on the vehicle data plate. (Scheme 14) Vehicle data plate is located in spare tire well and in service book. The following table identifies suspension versions. Identifying proper suspension version is critical for wheel alignment. See IDENTIFYING SUSPENSION VARIATIONS table.

IDENTIFYING SUSPENSION VARIATIONS

Scheme 14

A6 & S6

The vehicle must only be lifted at the specified points in order to prevent damaging the floor of the vehicle and to prevent the vehicle from tipping. The vehicle should NEVER be lifted by the oil pan, the transmission or the front or the rear subframes. Otherwise major damage can result. Make sure there is sufficient clearance between lowest parts of vehicle and vehicle lift before driving onto lift.

Lift front of vehicle at the longitudinal reinforcement of the floor pan at the area of the marking for the vehicle jack. (Scheme 15)

Scheme 15

Lift rear of vehicle at the vertical reinforcement of the lower sill in the area of the marking for the vehicle jack. (Scheme 16)

Scheme 16

Allroad

The vehicle should never be lifted or jacked up from underneath the engine oil pan, transmission housing, front or rear axle or the body side members. This could lead to serious damage. The same lifting points for the lift also apply when a floor jack is used. To avoid damage to the underbody or chassis frame, it is necessary to insert a rubber pad between the shop jack and the lift points.

Lift front of vehicle at the longitudinal reinforcement of the floor pan at the area of the marking for the vehicle jack. (Scheme 15)

Lift rear of vehicle at the vertical reinforcement of the lower sill in the area of the marking for the vehicle jack. (Scheme 16)

Scheme 17

1. Before lifting the vehicle with a jack or lift, press buttons 1 and 3 at the same time for at least 5 seconds with the ignition switched on. (Scheme 17)
2. When the system is in "jack mode", the LEDs on control buttons 1 and 3, the yellow LED for the manual mode on the level indicator 2 and warning light for level control in the instrument cluster will all come on. Once this happens, switch off the ignition. The vehicle can now be lifted.
3. To deactivate the "jack mode", press buttons 1 and 3 at the same time for at least 5 seconds. Warning light in the instrument cluster, the LED for manual mode and the LEDs on the control buttons will all turn off. The original system state and full functionality of the ride height system are now restored. In addition, the "jack mode" will automatically be deactivated when vehicle speed exceeds 3 MPH (5 km/h).

PRELIMINARY CHECKS

Before beginning wheel alignment procedures, ensure following are checked.

1. All wheels and tires are of approved size (all 4 identical) and tires are properly inflated. Tread depth has no more than .08" (2 mm) difference between tires on same axle. Correct as necessary.
2. Check suspension and suspension components for looseness or damage. Correct as necessary.
3. Check wheel bearing play and condition. Correct as necessary.
4. Fuel tank full. Spare tire and tools stored in appropriate storage area. Windshield washer reservoir full. Correct as necessary.
5. On vehicle equipped with level control (1BG suspension), turn ignition on and allow height control process to run until completed.
6. Ensure alignment equipment sliding plates and turn tables are not touching the end stop when checking wheel alignment.
7. Alignment is to always include both front and rear axles.
8. Check wheels for excessive runout or out-of-balance condition. Balance or repair wheels as necessary. Permissible lateral runout of the wheel rims can already exceed the specified toe-in setting tolerance. If compensation for wheel run-out is not performed, it will not be possible to obtain a correct toe-in adjustment.
9. For vehicles with 4-wheel air suspension (1BY), vehicle must be at normal level. Deactivate level control system. See «DEACTIVATING/ACTIVATING JACK MODE FOR RIDE HEIGHT SYSTEM (ALLROAD)»(ref-152882-S29603355712004041900000) . Be sure there is sufficient pressure in pressure reservoir. Check height between center of wheel and bottom edge of fender. Specification is 15.8" +/- .197" (402 mm +/- 5 mm). If this is not the case, basic setting must be performed.

Note. Basic setting of 4-wheel air suspension (1BY) requires using Audi factory scan tool (VAS 5051 or VAS 5052), or equivalent aftermarket scan tool.

Note. On the Allroad, it may be necessary to move the turn tables after raising the vehicle, to reach free-play for the pick-up sensors.

Note. While limited information is available, vehicle manufacturer does not support alignment information using aftermarket alignment equipment. To properly align vehicle, it is recommended to use VAG 1813 alignment computer. All procedures in this article are written using VAG 1813 alignment computer.

Vehicles That Have Been In An Accident

On vehicles which have been in accidents, before checking or adjusting toe or toe constant "S", steering rack must be in midway position.

Place steering rack in midway position as instructed by wheel alignment computer. On steering gear, remove sealing bolt and install Centering Bolt (VAG1907). (Scheme 18) See SPECIAL TOOLS. It may be necessary to have an assistant move steering wheel until centering hole in rack is felt.

With rack locked in place, check whether steering wheel is mounted as horizontal as possible on steering column when wheels are in straight-ahead position. Reposition steering wheel, if necessary. Otherwise centering of toothed shaft cannot be guaranteed. See appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article in RESTRAINTS.

After toe-in is set, remove centering pin. Reinstall sealing bolt and torque to 16 ft. lbs. (22 N.m).

Note. If steering wheel position was changed, and vehicle is equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP), zeroing of steering angle sensor must be performed using scan tool. For zero position of steering angle sensor procedure, see appropriate ANTI-LOCK article in BRAKES.

Scheme 18

Front Wheel Drive

Before attempting any adjustments, see PRELIMINARY CHECKS and WHEEL ALIGNMENT WORK SEQUENCE . Camber is not adjustable. If camber is not as specified, check axle beam for damage and replace components as necessary.

All Wheel Drive

Before attempting any adjustments, see PRELIMINARY CHECKS and WHEEL ALIGNMENT WORK SEQUENCE .

Loosen eccentric retaining nut located on the lower rear control arm. (Scheme 19) Set camber by turning eccentric nut until specified camber value is met. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS. Maximum adjustment range is 90 degrees to left or right of center position. Tighten eccentric nut to 74 ft. lbs. (100 N.m). Recheck rear camber.

Scheme 19

Adjusting Toe-In Curve (All Models)

Note. For wheel bearing housings without a groove and tie rod ends with a ring, the upward adjustment travel is about 2 mm less. If the adjustment travel is not sufficient, then the ring on the tie rod end should be removed.

1. Before attempting toe-in curve adjustment, see «PRELIMINARY CHECKS»(ref-152882-S20114777942003031100000) and «WHEEL ALIGNMENT WORK SEQUENCE»(ref-152882-S39345293292004041900000).
2. On tie rod end, loosen nut "A". (Scheme 20)and (Scheme 21).
3. Unscrew bolt "B" about.160" (4 mm). Press down on tie rod end until it stops.
4. Screw in adjustment bolt "B" until toe-in curve specified value is reached. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-152882-S00711561162003030300000).
5. Tighten nut "A" to 37 ft. lbs. (50 N.m). Recheck toe-in curve.
6. Tighten NEW bolt "B" to 62 INCH lbs. (7 N.m). Lower vehicle to initial position.
7. Turn down threaded spindle. On all vehicles except those with a sport suspension, bounce vehicles with standard suspension several times. Allow suspension to settle.
8. On all vehicles, wheel alignment computer will check toe constant "S" value again. If values are as specified, set toe-in. See «TOE ADJUSTMENT (FRONT)»(ref-152882-S36883731152003030300000). If values are not as specified, repeat adjustment procedure.

Scheme 20

Scheme 21