1996 AUDI A4 air suspension

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Suspension strut, removing
and installing

Removing

- Remove wheel trim.

On light alloy wheels use puller in vehicle tool kit
to remove trim cap.

- Remove wheels.

Note:
For vehicles with headlight range control page 40
-14
.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the joint of the lower links from excessive
rebound, support using VAG1383-A (engine and transmission lifter). - Remove rubber grommets in plenum chamber (arrows).

CAUTION! - Remove suspension strut nuts -1- from body.
- Detach ABS wheel speed sensor wire from bracket at brake caliper.
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CAUTION!
The guide link must be removed from the wheel bearing housing in order
to be able to remove the bolt mounting the suspension strut to the track
control link. - Remove nut -1- and bolt, then pull both links -2- upward and out.
- Swivel wheel bearing housing aside in direction of arrow.
Do not use a chisel (or similar) to widen the slots in the wheel
bearing housing. Do not loosen bolts -3- and -4-. Otherwise, the wheel alignment
must be checked.
- If necessary, counterhold ball joint using 4 mm hex wrench.

Note:
Be careful not to damage the boot. - Unscrew nut for guide link ball joint and press out ball joint.
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Notes: - Remove bolt -1- mounting suspension strut to lower track control link.
- Remove suspension strut downward.
When removing the suspension strut, make sure that the CV joint boot
is not damaged. Servicing suspension strut page 40
-44
.
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Installing

- Install suspension strut.

CAUTION!
The bonded rubber bushings can only be turned to a limited extent.
The bolted connections between the suspension strut and the lower
track control links should therefore only be tightened when the
vehicle is standing on the ground.
Hole in spring plate (arrow) faces toward middle of vehicle.
- Bolt suspension strut to track control link and tighten new nut -1-.
Tightening torque: 90 Nm (66 ft lb)
- Insert both upper control links into wheel bearing housing and tighten
new nut -2-.

Tightening torque: 40 Nm (30 ft lb)
Upper link joint with collar must be pushed onto wheel bearing
housing as far as possible when installing.
- Tighten nut at ball joint.
Tightening torque: 100 Nm (74 ft lb)
If necessary, counterhold ball joint using 4 mm hex wrench
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- Insert ABS wheel speed sensor wire into holder
at brake caliper.

- Install new nuts for both suspension struts and
tighten to 20 Nm (15 ft lb).

CAUTION!

Be careful not to damage the surface of the
brake lines.

- Re-install rubber grommets into plenum
chamber.

- Install wheel and tighten bolts to 120 Nm (89 ft
lb).
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Suspension strut, servicing

1 -
Nut
Always replace60 Nm (44 ft lb)
2 -
Suspension strut mount
3 -
Washer
4 -
Upper spring plate Installation position Fig. 8Installing Fig. 7Both steel and aluminium versionsDo not mix steel and aluminium versions
5 -
Coil spring Be careful not to damage surface of coil
spring Observe color codingRemoving Figs. 1
, 2
and 3
Installing Figs. 6
and 9
Observe different versions, refer to vehicle
data label page 40
-46

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Information on weight codes (code number)

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

Example of vehicle data label
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 on the parts catalog microfiche. A - Weight code for front suspension
B - Weight code for rear suspension
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The weight code for the different suspension versions is indicated by the
arrow in the illustration.
Special tools, test equipment and auxiliary items
1BA: Standard suspension1BE: Sport suspension 1BB: Heavy duty suspension (approx. 20 mm or 0.79 in. higher)1BC: Special purpose vehicles1BD: Sport suspension, Audi S41BH: USA1BT: Heavy duty suspension (approx. 7 mm or 0.28 in. higher)1BP: Heavy duty suspension (ride height same as 1BA but with limited
bump) VAG1752/1 VAG1752/2 VAG1752/7
VAG1752/28 3353
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