1996 AUDI A4 wheel bolts

42-1


Rear axle, servicing (front-
wheel-drive vehicles) WARNING!
CAUTION!
If using power tools (pneumatic or electric), do
not tighten the bolted connections more than
hand-tight. Otherwise, the specified tightening
torques could be exceeded.
Do not attempt to weld and/or straighten the
axle beam.
Do not re-use fasteners that are worn or
deformed in normal use.
Some fasteners are designed to be used only
once, and are unreliable and may fail if used
a second time. This includes, but is not
limited to, nuts, bolts, washers, circlips and
cotter pins. Always follow recommendations
in this manual-replace these fasteners with
new parts where indicated, and any other
time it is deemed necessary by inspection.
Pa
ge 1 of 26 Rear axle, servicin
g (front-wheel-drive vehicles
)
11/20/2002 htt
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yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.SU01.42.1

42-2


Notes: 1 -
Bolts
25 Nm (18 ft lb)
2 -
Gasket Always replace
3 -
Bolt Always replace
4 -
Mounting bracket Do not remove in order to remove rear axleBe careful when installing boltsIf mounting bracket - 4 - is removed, carry
out a rough alignment of the rear axle after
installation Fig. 1
.
After all installation work is completed,
check and if necessary adjust the wheel
alignment page 44
-13
.
5 -
Nut
Always replace80 Nm (59 ft lb) + 1/4-turn (90 )
6 -
Bolt
Always replace
Pa
ge 2 of 26 Rear axle, servicin
g (front-wheel-drive vehicles
)
11/20/2002 htt
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play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.SU01.42.1

42-6

1BT: Heavy duty suspension (approx. 7 mm or
1/4 in. higher)
1BP: Heavy duty suspension (same ride height
as 1BA but with limited bump)

Checking wheel alignment page 44
-6 . Fig. 1 Rough alignment of rear axle
- With mounting bolts loosened, push rear axle fully forward (direction of
travel) and then center it from side-to-side using two rulers.
Pa
ge 8 of 26 Rear axle, servicin
g (front-wheel-drive vehicles
)
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yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.SU01.42.1

42-10


- Remove locking plates -1- on left and right-sides, slightly loosen bolts -
2- for cable retaining plate, and remove cables from axle beam.

- Disconnect brake lines at rear axle (arrow) on both sides.
Pa
ge 12 of 26 Rear axle, servicin
g (front-wheel-drive vehicles
)
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42-11

- Pull ABS wheel speed sensors out of mounting
holes on both sides.

- Detach ABS wheel speed sensor wiring from
rear axle.

- On vehicles with headlight range control remove
linkage from axle beam.

Note:
Use VAG1383 gearbox lifter together with 1359/2
attachment for removing and installing the axle
beam.

- Unbolt and remove suspension strut from axle beam.
- Remove bolts from guide bushings ( page 42
-2 , items -3- and -5-)
and remove axle beam.
Pa
ge 13 of 26 Rear axle, servicin
g (front-wheel-drive vehicles
)
11/20/2002 htt
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play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.SU01.42.1

42-12

Installing

- Install axle together with guide bushings into
mounting brackets and install bolts hand-tight.

- Install suspension struts and hand-tighten
suspension strut to axle beam bolts.

- Coat O-ring for ABS wheel speed sensor with
brake cylinder paste.

Repair Manual, Brake System, Repair Group 46

Repair Manual, Brake System, Repair Group 47 - Push ABS wheel speed sensors into wheel bearing housings up to
stop.
- Install locking plates for ABS wheel speed sensors.
- Route parking brake cables and attach to brake calipers.
- Connect brake lines.
- Adjust parking brake:
- Install heat shield.
- Bleed brakes:
Pa
ge 14 of 26 Rear axle, servicin
g (front-wheel-drive vehicles
)
11/20/2002 htt
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play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.SU01.42.1

42-13

CAUTION!

Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when
tightening guide bushing to rear axle bolts.
Otherwise bonded rubber bushings will be
subjected to torsion resulting in shortened
service life

- Tighten guide bushing bolts ( page 42
-2 ,
items -3- and -5-).

Tightening torque: 80 Nm (59 ft lb) + 1/4-turn
(90 )
CAUTION!

Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when
tightening suspension strut to rear axle bolts.
Otherwise bonded rubber bushings will be
subjected to torsion resulting in shortened
service life

- Tighten suspension strut to axle beam bolts (
page 42
-2 , items -6- and -8-).

Tightening torque: 50 Nm (37 ft lb) + 1/4-turn
(90 )
-
On vehicles with headlight range control, tighten
bolted connection between headlight range
Pa
ge 15 of 26 Rear axle, servicin
g (front-wheel-drive vehicles
)
11/20/2002 htt
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yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.SU01.42.1

42-14

Guide bushings, removing and installing


Lowering rear axle
- On vehicles with headlight range control remove linkage from axle
beam.
- Remove bolts from guide bushing mount and lower axle.
- Position VW552 guide piece to prevent brake lines from becoming
stressed.

Removing guide bushing
Pa
ge 17 of 26 Rear axle, servicin
g (front-wheel-drive vehicles
)
11/20/2002 htt
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yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.SU01.42.1