Removing and installing subframe with steering rack (vehicles with electromechanical power steering) — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Support the engine, strip wheels, liners and covers, strap the wheel bearing housings and detach the links. Lock the steering straight ahead, separate the intermediate shaft and unplug all subframe wiring. Mark the subframe position, support it and remove the bolts diagonally before lowering. Refit to the marks, check the steering shaft seating, tighten bolts and mountings, then check alignment, headlight basic setting and level sender adaptation.

Fits: Audi A8 D4 (4H, 2010–2017)

• Special tools named: puller

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• Strap up the wheel bearing housings so the upper link joints are not damaged.
• Tape the steering wheel straight ahead and do not turn it, to protect the airbag slip ring.
• Mark the subframe position on the longitudinal members before removing the bolts.
• Never set the car on its wheels without subframe, steering rack and cross brace fully fitted.
• Tighten suspension mountings only at the reference position, then check wheel alignment.
• Re-adapt the level sender reference and recalibrate camera J852 where required.

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

📋 Procedure

1. Position vehicle on lifting platform .
2. Support engine in installation position 10Assembly mountings; Supporting engine in installation position.
3. Remove front wheels .
4. Remove noise insulation panels (1) and (2)General body repairs, exterior66Noise insulation; Removing and installing noise insulation.
5. Remove wheel housing liners (both sides) General body repairs, exterior66Wheel housing liner; Removing and installing wheel housing liner (front).

6. Remove plenum chamber cover General body repairs, exterior50Bulkhead; Removing and installing plenum chamber cover.
7. Tie up wheel bearing housing with tensioning strap T10038(1) on both sides as shown in illustration. [Note: Wheel bearing housing must be supported to avoid damaging joints of upper links.]
8. Remove track control link on both sides .
9. Unscrew nut on joint pin of guide link (on both sides) until it is flush with end of thread. Counterhold joint pin if necessary.
10. Press joint pin of guide link out of tapered seat using ball joint puller T40042. [Note: Take care not to damage drive shaft boot.Make sure the two lever arms of the puller are parallel when maximum force is exerted.]
11. Detach guide link from wheel bearing housing on both sides of vehicle. Protect drive shaft boot against damage at joint pin of guide link.
12. Detach bolt (1) securing coupling rod (2) to shock absorber fork on both sides. [Note: Disregard item (3).]
13. Remove longitudinal members (bottom) on both sides General body repairs, exterior50Lock carrier; Removing and installing lock carrier.
14. Unplug electrical connector (2) from vehicle level sender (4) on both sides.
15. Detach wiring clips for vehicle level sender from subframe on both sides and move wiring clear.
16. Remove bolts (1 and 2). [Note: (Arrow) can be disregarded.]
17. ⚠ Risk of damage to running gear components.Never place the vehicle on its wheels if the subframe mounting, steering rack or subframe cross brace is not correctly installed. — Detach electrical connectors (1, 2) for gearbox mounting valves N262 / N263 from bracket and unplug.
18. To prevent unintentional turning, secure steering wheel in straight-ahead position with adhesive tape (arrow). [Note: Use adhesive tape that can be completely removed afterwards without leaving marks.Do not turn steering wheel while performing repair work, as otherwise airbag coil connector and return ring with slip ring F138 could be damaged.]
19. Remove bolt (arrow).
20. Pull intermediate steering shaft (1) off steering rack (2) and slide shaft together towards top.
21. Release retainer, press catch downwards and unplug electrical connector (1) for signal wires (CAN bus and terminal 15) at power steering control unit J500.
22. Unplug electrical connector (2) for voltage supply (terminal 30) at power steering control unit J500 (release retainer (arrow) and push catch downwards).
23. Move wiring harness clear.
24. Remove bolt (1) and move earth cable clear at longitudinal member (left-side).
25. Remove nut (3) and unplug electrical connector (2).
26. Remove nut (1) and move clear bracket with wiring harness.
27. Detach electrical connector (2) for electrohydraulic engine mounting solenoid valves N144 / N145 from bracket and unplug.
28. Detach electrical connector (2) from bracket and move wiring harness clear at subframe.
29. Remove bolt (1) for engine mounting on both sides.
30. Support subframe using engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A with a suitable wooden block, as shown in illustration.
31. Use a felt-tip pen to mark installation position of subframe on longitudinal members.
32. Remove subframe bolts (1, 2 and 3) (left and right) in several stages in diagonal sequence.
33. Lower subframe with engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A. [Note: When lowering subframe, make sure there is enough clearance for electrical wiring.] [Note: The subframe must be pre-adjusted if it has been renewed or if it has been removed and the cross brace has been loosened for subsequent work.] [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.Raise suspension to reference position .]
34. ⚠ With bolt screwed in by hand, try to pull off intermediate steering shaft to check that it is correctly seated. Then tighten bolt . — Position subframe at marked location with respect to body.
35. Tighten subframe bolts in diagonal sequence.
36. Tighten bolts (1 and 2) for front gearbox mountings 37Assembly mountings; Exploded view - assembly mountings.
37. ⚠ All bolts and nuts must be fully tightened according to specifications before the vehicle is driven on public roads. — Set down vehicle on its wheels .
38. Check and adjust wheel alignment as required, see chart .
39. On vehicles with automatic headlight range control, perform basic setting of headlights Electrical system94Headlights; Adjusting headlights.
40. If the vehicle level sender has been removed and refitted or the linkage detached, the reference position must be re-adapted .
41. If the reference position has been re-adapted on vehicles with lane departure warning, the camera control unit J852 must be recalibrated .
42. Install plenum chamber cover General body repairs, exterior50Bulkhead; Removing and installing plenum chamber cover.
43. Electrical connections and routing

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