Work sequence when balancing wheels and tyres — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Fits: Audi Q5 (8R, 2008–2017), Audi A5 Cabriolet (8F), Audi A8 D4 (4H, 2010–2017), Audi A4 Cabriolet B6/B7 (8H), Audi A2 (8Z), Audi A3 (8L, 1996–2003), Audi A4 B5 (8D), Audi A4 B6/B7 (8E), Audi A6 C5 (4B), Audi A8 D2 (4D), Audi A8 D3 (4E, 2002–2010), Audi A3 (8P, 2003–2012), Audi TT Mk1 (8N), Audi A6 C6 (4F, 2004–2011), Audi TT Mk2 (8J, 2006–2014), Audi A5 (8T, 2007–2016), Audi A4 B8 (8K, 2007–2015), Audi Q7 (4L, 2005–2015), Audi A6/A7 C7 (4G, 2011–2018), Audi A1 (8X, 2010–2018), Audi A3 (8V, 2012–2020), Audi Q3 (8U, 2011–2018), Audi Q7 (4M, 2015–), Audi R8 (4S, 2015–); platform codes 8C, 4A, 8G, 42, 4X, FV

• Special tools named: torque wrench

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• Bond on the balancing weights so that they do not touch the brake caliper or parts of the suspension. — Allow the wheel/tyre to turn on the wheel balancer.
• If one-sided wear, flat spots from braking or severe erosion is apparent, balancing will not be able to achieve smooth running. In this case, the tyre must be renewed.
• Check the true running of the wheel and tyre. If the wheel and tyre do not run true although there are no flat spots on the tyre, this may be due to radial or lateral run-out.

🔩 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. ⚠ Bond on the balancing weights so that they do not touch the brake caliper or parts of the suspension. — Allow the wheel/tyre to turn on the wheel balancer.
2. Check that the indicator lines on the sidewall of the tyre near the rim flange run evenly.
3. Check that the body of the tyre runs evenly while the wheel and tyre are rotating. [Note: If one-sided wear, flat spots from braking or severe erosion is apparent, balancing will not be able to achieve smooth running. In this case, the tyre must be renewed.]
4. Check the true running of the wheel and tyre. If the wheel and tyre do not run true although there are no flat spots on the tyre, this may be due to radial or lateral run-out.
5. Check the wheel and tyre for radial and lateral run-out.

6. If radial and lateral run-out are within the specified tolerance, balance the wheel and tyre. [Note: The weight used per wheel should not exceed 60 grams.If a larger weight is required, you can possibly achieve smoother running by "match mounting" the tyre and rim. "Match mounting" tyres .The wheel balancer display should indicate 0 grams.]
7. Bolt the wheel to the vehicle.
8. ⚠ On vehicles with ceramic brakes the wheel must not be allowed to drop onto the brake disc. This would cause irreparable damage to the disc. When removing or fitting a wheel, screw the long assembly pin into the top wheel bolt hole (12 o'clock position) in place of the wheel bolt, and screw the short pin into one of the other holes to support the wheel. The wheel can then slide along the assembly pins when being fitted or removed. — First hand-tighten the lowest wheel bolt to about 30 Nm. — 30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
9. Then tighten the remaining wheel bolts to about 30 Nm (in diagonal sequence). This process centres the wheel on the hub. — 30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
10. Lower vehicle onto its wheels.
11. Now use a torque wrench to tighten the wheel bolts to the specified torque in diagonal sequence.
12. Road-test vehicle. [Note: If you detect vibration during the road test, this may be due to tolerance in the wheel centring.In unfavourable circumstances, the component tolerances of wheels and hubs could cumulate. This too can lead to vibration. This vibration can be eliminated by using a finish balancer.]

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
• Removing and installing intake manifold - vehicles with engine code letters AMF, BHC
• Servicing inner constant velocity joint – Audi
• Removing and installing power steering pump (vehicles with 6-cyl. petrol engine) (FSI)
• Removing and installing selector mechanism (vehicles from VIN 8E_6A156500 onwards)
• Removing and installing selector lever cable (vehicles from VIN 8E_6A156500 onwards)