Removing and installing lower wishbone and mounting bracket — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Fits: platform code 42

Don't miss

• Using a felt pen or similar, mark positions of bolts (2) and eccentric washer (5) relative to mounting brackets (4) and (8).
• Take up weight of suspension with engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A and support T10149. Do not lift.
• Slacken nut (2) on track rod (1), but do not remove yet.
• Slacken nut (2) on lower wishbone (1), but do not remove yet.
• If the lower wishbone collides with the fastener of the hose clip on the drive shaft when it is pivoted out, rotate the drive shaft as required.

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

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

1. Before starting work, measure distance (a) from centre of wheel to lower edge of wheel housing with vehicle standing on its wheels.
2. Remove wheel.
3. Using a felt pen or similar, mark positions of bolts (2) and eccentric washer (5) relative to mounting brackets (4) and (8).
4. Slacken nuts (6) on bolts (2) without removing bolts.
5. Detach air ducts (1) and noise insulation (2).

6. Front noise insulation does not have to be removed completely (just detached) in vicinity of lower wishbone.
7. Take up weight of suspension with engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A and support T10149. Do not lift.
8. Slacken nut (2) on track rod (1), but do not remove yet.
9. Press track rod (arrow) out of wheel bearing housing using ball joint puller3287 A (and then unscrew nut).
10. Unscrew nut (3) and pull out bolt (1).
11. Remove bolts (1) and detach mounting brackets with lower wishbone (3) and track rod (7).
12. Slacken nut (2) on lower wishbone (1), but do not remove yet.
13. Press lower wishbone (arrow) out of wheel bearing housing using ball joint puller3287 A (and then unscrew nut).
14. Pivot lower wishbone to the rear. Pull ball joint out of wheel bearing housing as far as drive shaft and tilt forwards.
15. Pivot lower wishbone forwards out of wheel bearing housing and past drive shaft boot. [Note: If the lower wishbone collides with the fastener of the hose clip on the drive shaft when it is pivoted out, rotate the drive shaft as required.]
16. Unscrew nuts (1) and (2), remove bolts and detach mounting brackets from lower wishbone. [Note: Bonded rubber bushes can only be turned to a limited extent. The suspension mountings must therefore only be tightened when the suspension is in the unladen position or reference position.Raising suspension to unladen position (vehicles with coil springs)]
17. Pre-tighten bolt connections (1) and (2) to 8 Nm. — 8 Nm (5.9 lb-ft)
18. Align bolt connection according to markings and tighten.
19. Install lower wishbone in vehicle and tighten bolts (1) and nuts (6).
20. On vehicles with electronic damping control (Audi magnetic ride), re-adapt reference position .
21. Check and adjust wheel alignment as required, see chart .

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