Removing and installing exterior door handle: Audi A6/A7 C7

🧭 Before you start

Access is through the hole in the door end face under the seal and the protective film. The clamping bolt is backed off, the handle held open and locked by pressing the housing retainer, the end housing removed, and the handle detached from the operating lever and swivelled out, unplugging the convenience key connector where fitted. Backing plates are renewed if brittle, then the handle is engaged in its mounting, the driver pushed in front of the operating lever, the retainer pressed back and the housing refitted with its retaining clip.

Fits: Audi A6/A7 C7 (4G, 2011–2018)

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• Clamping bolt (4) is only backed off as far as possible, not removed.
• Press retainer (3) inwards while the handle is held open; it locks the handle for removal.
• Convenience key cars: unplug the handle connector before pulling the handle clear.
• Renew backing plates (1) and (2) if damaged or brittle.
• On fitting, push the driver (5) in front of operating lever (4) before pressing the retainer back.
• General practice: secure the housing with its clip and check the handle returns freely before closing the door.

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

📋 Procedure

1. Push door seal to side and peel off protective film over hole (arrow A).
2. Unscrew clamping bolt (4) as far as possible using a screwdriver (1).
3. Pull exterior door handle outwards and hold in "“open”" position.
4. Press retainer (3) for housing inwards. Exterior door handle is locked in "“open”" position.
5. Pull housing (2) out of mounting bracket (arrow B).

6. Pull exterior door handle (1) in direction of (arrow); exterior door handle will be detached from operating lever in mounting bracket.
7. Swivel exterior door handle (1) outwards (arrow) and take out of mounting on mounting bracket.
8. On vehicles with convenience key, unplug electrical connector (2) at exterior door handle.
9. Renew backing plates (1) and (2) for door handle if they are damaged or brittle.
10. Insert exterior door handle (1)(arrow A), making sure that exterior door handle engages in mounting (2) on mounting bracket (3).
11. Swivel exterior door handle (1) in direction of (arrow B) and push in »driver«(5) in front of operating lever (4) in mounting bracket.
12. Press retainer for housing towards exterior door handle.
13. Install housing and secure with retaining clip.

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