Removing gearbox in vehicles with V6 petrol engine: Audi A6 C6

🧭 Before you start

Disconnect the battery, move the expansion tank aside and undo the upper exhaust and gearbox bolts. Below, remove wheels, noise insulation, heat shields, cross members, front exhaust pipes, drive shafts, selector rods and slave cylinder, and unplug G28 and F4. Raise the torque reaction support stop, prepare gearbox support 3282 with plate 3282/43 and secure its support elements with 20 Nm bolts. Remove the tunnel cross member and last bolts and lower the gearbox, then mount it on a stand.

Fits: Audi A6 C6 (4F, 2004–2011)

Don't miss

• Do not press the clutch pedal with the slave cylinder off; it is destroyed above about 300 N.
• Keep the lock carrier installed; adjust the torque reaction support stop to stop the engine tilting.
• Do not bend the exhaust de-coupling element more than 10°.
• Support element bolts M10 x 20 on gearbox support 3282 are tightened to 20 Nm.
• Transfer the gearbox support to a replacement gearbox.

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

🔩 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. ⚠ Follow steps required when disconnecting battery Electrical system27. — Switch off ignition and remove ignition key.
2. Take out luggage compartment floor covering.
3. Disconnect earth wire (arrow) at battery.
4. Pull off rear engine cover panel (arrows).
5. Unbolt coolant expansion tank (arrow).

6. Unplug electrical connector for coolant shortage indicator switch F66 at expansion tank (bottom) and move expansion tank clear to one side, with coolant hoses (1) and (2) attached.
7. Unplug electrical connector (2) for Lambda probe 2 after catalytic converter G131 and move electrical wire clear from below. [Note: (Item 1) can be disregarded.]
8. Unscrew nut (2) (access from above), connecting left front exhaust pipe with exhaust manifold. [Note: For illustration purposes here shown from rear, with engine removed.]
9. Pull non-return valve (1) off air intake hose.
10. Slacken hose clip (2) and release clamps (arrows) to remove air intake hose.
11. Unplug electrical connector (2) for Lambda probe after catalytic converter G130 and move electrical wire clear from below. [Note: (Item 1) can be disregarded.]
12. Unscrew nut (2) (access from above), connecting right front exhaust pipe with exhaust manifold. [Note: For illustration purposes here shown from rear, with engine removed.]
13. Remove bolts accessible from above (4) and (5).
14. Remove both front wheels. [Note: Secure brake discs with wheel bolts.]
15. Release fasteners marked (1), (2) and (arrow) (if fitted) and remove noise insulation panels.
16. Unbolt heat shields for drive shafts (left and right) from gearbox (arrows).
17. Unscrew cross member from subframe (arrows).
18. Remove front cross member (arrows). [Note: The flexible pipe connection (de-coupling element) on the front exhaust pipe must not be bent more than 10° – otherwise it can be damaged.]
19. Unscrew bolts (1) and (2) at rear bracket for front exhaust pipes. [Note: (Item 3) can be disregarded.]
20. Unscrew bolts (1) and (2) and remove front exhaust pipe bracket (left-side).
21. Unscrew nuts (1) and (3) (accessible from below) connecting front exhaust pipe to exhaust manifold. [Note: For illustration purposes here shown with engine removed.]
22. Remove front exhaust pipe (left-side) with catalytic converter.
23. Unscrew bolts (1) and (2) and remove front exhaust pipe bracket (right-side).
24. Unscrew nuts (1) and (3) (accessible from below) connecting front exhaust pipe to exhaust manifold. [Note: For illustration purposes here shown with engine removed.]
25. Remove front exhaust pipe (right-side) with catalytic converter.
26. Unbolt drive shafts (left and right) from gearbox flange shafts.
27. Unscrew connecting rod (2) for selector rod.
28. Unscrew push rod (1), using an 8 mm hexagon key when unscrewing bolt.
29. Unscrew nut (arrow) and detach gearbox selector lever from selector shaft.
30. Remove clutch slave cylinder (arrow) and tie up with wire. Do not disconnect hoses/pipes.
31. ⚠ Do not depress clutch pedal after removing slave cylinder. The slave cylinder would then be destroyed once pedal force exceeds approx. 300 N. — Unplug connector for engine speed sender G28 on left side of gearbox (arrow).
32. Unplug electrical connector (arrow) for reversing light switch F4 and move electrical wire clear.
33. ⚠ The lock carrier must remain installed throughout the following procedure; it must not be moved to the service position. — Slacken bolts (arrows) at stop for torque reaction support.
34. Press stop for torque reaction support upwards and tighten bolts again. [Note: Adjusting the stop for torque reaction support prevents the engine from tilting at the front after the gearbox is removed.]
35. Remove bolts (1), (2) and (7 … 10). [Note: Bolts (3) and (6) remain screwed in hand-tight.]
36. If not already provided, drill a hole of 10.2 mm ∅ (arrow) in the support elements of gearbox support3282.
37. To remove manual gearbox 01X, set up gearbox support3282 with adjustment plate3282/43 and place on engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A. [Note: The support elements(arrows A) and (arrows B) are shown in schematic form on the adjustment plate. The arrow on the adjustment plate points in the direction of travel.Adjustment plate can only be fitted in one correct position.]
38. Align the adjustment plate parallel to the gearbox.
39. Secure support elements to left side of gearbox, as shown in illustration. Tighten bolt (M10 x 20) (arrow on right side) to 20 Nm. — 20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
40. Secure support elements to right side of gearbox, as shown in illustration. Tighten bolt (M10 x 20) (arrow on left side) to 20 Nm. — 20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
41. Unscrew bolts (arrows) and detach tunnel cross member with gearbox mounting.
42. Remove the last two engine/gearbox securing bolts.
43. Unseat gearbox from dowel sleeves and lower carefully with engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A. [Note: When lowering gearbox, make sure there is sufficient clearance for drive shafts.]
44. Before carrying out assembly work, secure gearbox to assembly stand or engine and gearbox supportVAS 6095, using engine and gearbox supportVW 540.
45. If the removed gearbox is being renewed, the gearbox support (2) must be transferred to the replacement gearbox (bolts 1).

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