Re-determining shim "“S"4” when renewing gearbox cover — AUDI
Re-determining shim "“S"4” when renewing gearbox cover on Audi: 12 steps, 1 torque figure. What to remove, what to tighten and to how many Nm, what to.
Workshop procedure for AUDI — the exact step sequence and torque figures, straight from real workshop data.
🧭 Before you start
Fits: Audi A4 Cabriolet B6/B7 (8H), Audi A4 B6/B7 (8E)
- Special tools named: dial gauge
🔩 Torque settings
Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.
| Torque | Fastener / step |
|---|---|
| 22 Nm (16 lb-ft) | Fit gearbox cover and tighten bolts |
ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.
📋 Procedure
- Clean housing flanges.
- Measure difference in depth "“a”" on old and new gearbox cover.
- If new gearbox cover is deeper, install a thicker "“S"4” shim.
- If previous gearbox cover is deeper, install a thinner "“S"4” shim.
- Fit tapered roller bearing outer race with shim "“S"4” in gearbox cover .
- Insert completely assembled pinion shaft into gearbox housing again.
- Fit gearbox cover and tighten bolts to 22 Nm. — 22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
- To settle the tapered roller bearings: rotate pinion shaft together with hollow shaft 5 turns in each direction, then rotate pinion shaft separately in relation to hollow shaft 5 turns in each direction.
- Set up measuring tools and secure with bolt (arrow) to gearbox housing.
- Set dial gauge (3 mm measuring range) to "“0”" with 2 mm preload.
- Loosen gearbox cover bolts and turn pinion shaft several times.
- If the correct shims have been selected the dial gauge will now indicate the following value:
Other AUDI procedures
- Removing and installing toothed belt – Audi · 56 torque figures
- Removing engine – Audi A8 D3 · 41 torque figures
- Removing camshaft timing chain from camshafts – Audi A6/A7 C7 · 38 torque figures
- Installing engine – Audi A8 D4 · 36 torque figures
- Removing and installing camshaft timing chain · 29 torque figures
- Removing and installing brake pads (PR 1LT) – Audi A6 C6 · 1 torque figures
- Renewing flange shaft oil seals on Audi A8
- Removing and installing selector lever cable (vehicles from 11.2005 onwards)
- Removing and installing mechatronic unit - gearbox with 13 bolts on oil pan · 1 torque figures
- Checking ATF level - vehicles with 12-cylinder engine – Audi
Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.