Removing and installing convertible top: Audi A4 Cabriolet B6/B7

🧭 Before you start

Strip the rear side trims, set the hood to its centre position and lift off the compartment lid after unhooking its operating cylinders. Detach the bow cylinders, unclip the pipes and lay the whole hydraulic set in the compartment, then unplug the right-hand connectors and free the harness. Remove the switch unit and the main cylinder locking pins, slacken the main support bolts about 2 turns, lift the frame roughly 20 cm, draw the cables up and take it out to the rear. Refitting reverses this, followed by door and side window adjustment and a function check.

Fits: Audi A4 Cabriolet B6/B7 (8H)

• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job

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• Hydraulic pipes stay connected: unclip them from the 6 holders and lay them aside, do not open the circuit.
• Mask paintwork with covers and fabric tape before freeing the bow cylinders.
• Every cable tie cut or opened must go back at the same location.
• Plastic washers must be in the pivot points of the main hydraulic cylinders on refitting.
• With the hood closed, check the raised windows run into the front and rear seals.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

📋 Procedure

1. Remove the rear side trim 70. [Note: Take out the convertible top compartment lid to facilitate removal of the convertible top.]
2. Move the convertible top to the centre position.
3. Only unscrew the bolts (2) of the hinge (1).
4. Slacken off the locking springs (1) of the operating cylinders at the top of the convertible top compartment lid. Detach the ball ends (2) and set down the cylinders in the convertible top compartment.
5. Lift off convertible top compartment lid.

6. ⚠ Use suitable covers and fabric adhesive strip to guard against paintwork damage. — Detach the hydraulic cylinders of the bow (1) from the ball ends (2).
7. Unclip the hydraulic pipes from the holders (3) (6x) and unfasten the cable ties (4) (2x).
8. Pull the hydraulic pipes and cylinders out of the convertible top structure and lay them aside in the convertible top compartment.
9. Unplug connectors (arrows) on right in vehicle.
10. Remove convertible top cables from guides and cable ties of body panel and convertible top structure. [Note: All cable ties unfastened or cut open on removing the convertible top structure are to be re-attached at the same location on installation.]
11. Remove the bolts (1) of the convertible top switch unit, comprising convertible top front switch F202 and convertible top stowed switch F171.
12. Pull convertible top switch unit carefully out of attachment point mounts. [Note: Set the convertible top to the corresponding position to remove the appropriate convertible top switch unit screw.]
13. Remove locking pins (2) of main hydraulic cylinders.
14. Unfasten nuts at retaining bracket of main hydraulic cylinders such that these can be removed from pivot points and set down in vehicle.
15. Slacken off the bolts (1), (2) and (3) of the main supports by approx. 2 turns.
16. Remove bolts (1) and (2).
17. Lift convertible top by approx. 20 cm and pull convertible top cables upwards out of body.
18. Lift out convertible top to rear over vehicle.
19. When inserting convertible top structure, take care not to damage hydraulic pipes and cables.
20. On installing the main hydraulic cylinders, make sure the plastic washers are inserted in the pivot points of the master hydraulic cylinder.
21. Adjust door windows .
22. Adjust side windows .
23. Check operation.
24. With the convertible top closed, check whether the raised windows move into the seals at the front and rear.

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