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 11) 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.
| Suspension Identification Code | Suspension Variation |
|---|---|
| 1BA | Standard Suspension |
| 1BD | Sport Suspension S8 |
| 1BE | Sport Suspension |
| 1BG | Suspension With Level Control System |
| 1BN | Suspension With Level Control System (Europe) |
| 1BT | (1) Rough Terrain Suspension |
| K8L | Audi A8 Long Wheelbase |
| (1) Slight reinforcement raised about 7 mm. | |
| (1) | Slight reinforcement raised about 7 mm. |
IDENTIFYING SUSPENSION VARIATIONS
Scheme 11
FRAME & UNDERBODY
The vehicle may only be lifted at the points shown in order to prevent damaging the floor of the vehicle and to prevent the vehicle from tipping. (Scheme 12) The vehicle should NEVER be lifted by the engine oil pan, the transmission, or the front or rear subframe. Otherwise major damage may be caused.
Scheme 12
PRELIMINARY CHECKS
Before beginning wheel alignment procedures, ensure following items are checked
- Ensure alignment equipment is properly calibrated.
- 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.
- Check suspension components for looseness or damage. Correct as necessary.
- Check wheel bearing play and condition. Correct as necessary.
- Check steering components for looseness or damage. Correct as necessary.
- Compensate for wheel runout. Permissible lateral runout of the wheel rims may already exceed the specified toe setting tolerance. In this case, a correct toe adjustment is not possible without compensating for wheel runout.
- Fuel tank full. Spare tire and tools stored in appropriate storage area. Windshield washer reservoir full. Correct as necessary.
- On vehicle equipped with level control, turn ignition on and allow height control process to run until completed.
Vehicles That Have Been In Accidents
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 13) 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 Stability Program (ESP), zeroing of steering angle sensor must be performed using VW factory scan tool. For zero position of steering angle sensor procedure, see appropriate ANTI-LOCK article in BRAKES.
Scheme 13
Adjusting Toe-In Curve (All Models)
- Before attempting toe-in curve adjustment, see «BRINGING VEHICLE INTO INITIAL POSITION FOR TOE IN CURVE ALIGNMENT (SUSPENSION VARIATIONS 1BA, 1BM, 1BE, 1BD, 1BG, 1BN & 1BT)»(ref-161420-S08141690462004040800000) or «BRINGING VEHICLE INTO INITIAL POSITION FOR TOE-IN CURVE ALIGNMENT (SPORT SUSPENSION 1BE)»(ref-161420-S28314145702004040800000).
- On tie rod end, loosen nut "A". (Scheme 14)
- Unscrew bolt "B" about.160" (4 mm). Press down on tie rod end until it stops.
- Screw in adjustment bolt "B" until toe-in curve specified value is reached. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-161420-S13530794422004040800000).
- Tighten nut "A" to 37 ft. lbs. (50 N.m). Recheck toe-in curve.
- Tighten bolt "B" to 62 INCH lbs. (7 N.m).
- Lower vehicle to initial position. Screw threaded spindle down. For vehicles with standard suspension only, bounce vehicle several times and allow suspension to settle. This is not necessary on vehicles with sport suspension.
- Wheel alignment computer will check toe constant "S" value again. If values are as specified, set toe-in. See «TOE ADJUSTMENT (FRONT)»(ref-161420-S02408374482004040800000). If values are not as specified, repeat toe-in curve adjustment procedure.
Scheme 14
Scheme 15
ADDITIONAL VEHICLE DATA
The additional vehicle data is intended to speed up and permit more accurate diagnosis in the event of minor accident. A slight deviation from the data, with no obvious detriment to performance does not automatically represent a problem. For production reasons, this data may sometimes be outside the tolerances stated even in the case of a new vehicle.
