Removing and installing subframe, four-wheel drive vehicles — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Fits: Audi A6/A7 C7 (4G, 2011–2018); platform code 4X

• Opens: brake fluid

Don't miss

• Take care not to scratch side member.
• To facilitate installation, mark electrical connectors (2) for oil pressure and oil temperature senders and at clutch valves.
• Disregard item (1).
• Do not install coil springs or air springs until subframe bolts have been tightened to specified torque.

🔩 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. Remove rear wheels .
2. Remove rear section of exhaust system 26Exhaust pipes/silencers; Exploded view - silencers
3. Disconnect propshaft from rear final drive and tie up Final drive39Propshaft; Detaching and attaching propshaft at rear final drive.
4. Remove coil springs .
5. Remove air springs .

6. Unclip retaining tabs (1) and detach stone deflector (2).
7. Detach shock absorber from wheel bearing housing (both sides); to do this unscrew bolt (arrow) and remove washer between wheel bearing housing and shock absorber.
8. Secure vehicle to arms of lifting platform (arrow B) by attaching tensioning strap T10038 to striker (arrow A).
9. Place a piece of rubber foam (1) or similar between side member and tensioning strap T10038 and tighten tensioning strap T10038. [Note: Take care not to scratch side member.]
10. ⚠ If vehicle is not secured, there is a risk of it slipping off the lifting platform. — If fitted, remove centre cover (2)General body repairs, exterior66Underbody trim; Removing and installing underbody trim.
11. On vehicles with sport differential, remove bolts (arrows) and detach bracket (1) from rear final drive. [Note: To facilitate installation, mark electrical connectors (2) for oil pressure and oil temperature senders and at clutch valves.]
12. Unplug electrical connectors (2) from oil pressure and oil temperature senders and clutch valves.
13. Then unplug connector (4) from four-wheel drive pump V415.
14. Now unclip wiring harness (3) from final drive and subframe (items 5…7) and tie up.
15. Release and unplug connector (1) from rear left speed sensor G46 and rear right speed sensor G44.
16. Move electrical wiring clear.
17. Remove bolt (2) on both sides and move clear bracket (3) on subframe.
18. Unplug electrical connectors on both sides:
19. Move electrical wiring clear.
20. Release and unplug electrical connector (1) for rear left vehicle level sender G76 and rear right vehicle level sender G77.
21. Move wiring harness (2) clear (arrow).
22. Remove underbody covers (1) and (2)General body repairs, exterior66Underbody trim; Removing and installing underbody trim.
23. If fitted, remove diagonal struts .
24. If fitted, remove stone deflectors (1, 2 and 3).
25. Disconnect brake line (4) from brake hose (2) on both sides Brake system46Rear brakes; Exploded view - rear brake. [Note: Disregard item (1).]
26. Fix position of subframe .
27. Remove bolt (arrow) on both sides.
28. Carefully lower subframe with attachments, taking care not to damage disconnected pipes and wiring. [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) Raising suspension to reference position (vehicles with air suspension)]
29. Tighten bolt (arrow) on both sides. [Note: Do not install coil springs or air springs until subframe bolts have been tightened to specified torque.]
30. Remove locating pins T40242.
31. Install coil springs or air springs .
32. Reconnect brake hose (both sides) Brake system46Rear brakes; Exploded view - rear brake.
33. Install shock absorbers .
34. Secure propshaft at rear final drive Final drive39Propshaft; Detaching and attaching propshaft at rear final drive.
35. Install underbody covers General body repairs, exterior66Underbody trim; Exploded view - underbody trim.
36. If previously removed, install centre cover (2)General body repairs, exterior66Underbody trim; Exploded view - underbody trim.
37. If previously removed, install diagonal struts .
38. Install rear section of exhaust system 26Exhaust pipes/silencers; Exploded view - silencers
39. Bleed brake system Brake system47Hydraulic system; Bleeding hydraulic system (normal bleeding procedure).
40. Fit rear wheels .
41. Wheel alignment check may be required (perform road test) .

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
• Servicing drive shaft with tripod joint
• Removing and installing impeller pump (vehicles with 6-cylinder engine)
• Repairing airbagä 09.92
• Removing and installing front door trim (4- and 5-cylinder 07.93 ä, 6-cylinder, S2)
• Removing and installing oil seals for flange shafts