Removing and installing steering column with column tube — AUDI

Removing:

Vehicles without airbag

Disconnect battery earth strap
Remove steering wheel =>Page
48-81
(tightening torque for hexagon nut: 40 Nm)

Loosen clamp of steering column switch
Removing steering column switch

Vehicles with airbag

Note:

Before performing any work on the airbag system disconnect battery earth strap and 1 pin red connector for airbag voltage supply to ensure that subsequent assembly work does not result in accidental actuation of airbag system. Before removing steering column wheels are to be moved to straight ahead position and the steering wheel then removed (this ensures that the volute spring in the steering wheel is not damaged).

Disconnect battery earth strap
Unscrew airbag unit on left and right of steering wheel from rear with Torx insert (e.g. Hazet T 30 H)
Fold airbag unit to rear

Installation note:

Screw in securing bolts for airbag unit by hand; then consecutively tighten right and left bolt to 6 Nm.

Warning!
Make sure there is nobody in the vehicle when connecting battery earth strap/cable.
Detach fastener for plug of airbag unit.
Unplug airbag unit connector.
Set down airbag unit such that the Audi rings on airbag unit are visible (safety Specified value)

Remove top part of trim for steering column switch

Pull connector of lead for airbag unit out of bottom part of trim; for this purpose press in lug in centre of lower part of plug slightly using a screwdriver and pull out
Detach connector
Remove steering wheel

Installation note:

Before installing steering wheel move wheels into straight ahead position. Steering wheel spoke must be horizontal with wheels in straight ahead position.

Loosen clamp of steering column switch
Removing steering column switch

Remove dash panel centre
Pull off plug housing at ignition/starting lock

Note:

Detach locking piece at ignition/starter switch on vehicles with automatic gearbox.

=> Automatic gearbox 097; Repair Group 37
Automatic gearbox 097

Screw out fastening screws for tray on driver's side

Vehicles with airbag:

Lever cover -3- for airbag connector out of knee cushion and unclip and detach connector -4-

Lever caps -2- out of knee cushion. Unscrew hexagon bolt -1-.

Remove driver's side tray/knee cushion -5-.

Unscrew steering column from shackle
Use screwdriver to press steering column approx. 15 mm off disc coupling.

Unscrew column tube from bracket
Remove screws from bracket
Push steering column with column tube downwards and turn appropriately to enable it to be removed beneath instrument panel.

Installing:

Push steering column from underneath into cutout in steering panel
Insert column tube in bracket
Insert screws in bracket and column tube
Insert ignition key in steering lock
Release steering lock so that steering column can be turned as required
Use pipe wrench to press steering column onto disc coupling
Insert shackle in steering column and screw the two together

Insert cable in column tube
By moving it upwards or downwards in the bracket align column tube such that there is no disc coupling torsion on turning steering wheel
Fasten column tube to bracket
Attach plug housing to ignition/starter switch

Warning!
Should it not be possible to effect alignment as described above loosen steering box at its attachment points and move appropriately until stress free alignment of steering mechanism becomes possible.
Note:

If steering column and column tube have been separated fit spring on steering column with the two clamp washers as described below:

Attach spring to steering column
Attach clamp washers

Screw special tool with spindle -a- onto steering column as far as it will go (screw back nut -b-)
Counterhold spindle -a-. Tighten hexagon nut -b- until dimension -c- between end face of column tube and end face of special tool is between 10 and 12 mm.
Loosen nut-b-.
Unscrew spindle -a- from steering column

Perform check measurement on dimension -d-.
d = 54.5 mm to 55.5 mm

Note:

If dimension -d- is not attained reinstall fitting tool -3168- and correct dimension -d-.

Install dash panel insert
Install steering column switch.
Install steering wheel =>Page
48-81

Note:

Vehicles with airbag: Attach connector for airbag unit.

Install driver's side tray
Fit self-diagnosis plug in tray

Note:

Vehicles with airbag: 1-pin plug (labelled airbag) for power supply of airbag system.

Connect battery earthing strap.

Warning!
Make sure there is nobody in the vehicle when connecting battery earth strap/cable.
Check function of steering column switch

Note:

Steering wheel spoke must be horizontal with wheels in straight-ahead position