AUDI A4 1996 B5 / 1.G Suspension Rear Axle Front Wheel Drive User Guide
Page 11 of 26
42-9
 
    
-  Unbolt heat shield cover (arrows indicate bolted connections) and push 
forward until parking brake cable adjuster becomes accessible. 
    
-  Loosen both cable adjusters as follows:
  -  Remove locking clip -D-. 
  -  Screw in adjusting nut -C- up to stop.
 - Push adjuster together. 
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Page 12 of 26
42-10
 
    
-  Remove locking plates -1- on left and right-sides, slightly loosen bolts -
2- for cable retaining plate, and remove cables from axle beam. 
    
-  Disconnect brake lines at rear axle (arrow) on both sides.
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Page 13 of 26
42-11
      
-  Pull ABS wheel speed sensors out of mounting 
holes on both sides. 
     
-  Detach ABS wheel speed sensor wiring from 
rear axle. 
     
-  On vehicles with headlight range control remove 
linkage from axle beam. 
     
Note:  
     Use VAG1383 gearbox lifter together with 1359/2 
attachment for removing and installing the axle 
beam. 
    
-  Unbolt and remove suspension strut from axle beam.
-  Remove bolts from guide bushings (   page 42
-2 , items -3- and -5-) 
and remove axle beam. 
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Page 14 of 26
42-12
      
Installing  
     
-  Install axle together with guide bushings into 
mounting brackets and install bolts hand-tight. 
     
-  Install suspension struts and hand-tighten 
suspension strut to axle beam bolts. 
     
-  Coat O-ring for ABS wheel speed sensor with 
brake cylinder paste. 
    
 Repair Manual, Brake System, Repair Group 46
   
 Repair Manual, Brake System, Repair Group 47    -  Push ABS wheel speed sensors into wheel bearing housings up to 
stop. 
-  Install locking plates for ABS wheel speed sensors.
-  Route parking brake cables and attach to brake calipers.
-  Connect brake lines. 
- Adjust parking brake: 
-  Install heat shield.
- Bleed brakes:
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Page 15 of 26
42-13
      
CAUTION! 
     
Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when 
tightening guide bushing to rear axle bolts. 
Otherwise bonded rubber bushings will be 
subjected to torsion resulting in shortened 
service life 
     
-  Tighten guide bushing bolts (   page 42
-2 , 
items -3- and -5-). 
     
   Tightening torque: 80 Nm (59 ft lb) + 1/4-turn 
(90 )      
CAUTION! 
     
Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when 
tightening suspension strut to rear axle bolts. 
Otherwise bonded rubber bushings will be 
subjected to torsion resulting in shortened 
service life 
     
-  Tighten suspension strut to axle beam bolts (   
page 42
-2 , items -6- and -8-). 
     
   Tightening torque: 50 Nm (37 ft lb) + 1/4-turn 
(90 )      
- 
On vehicles with headlight range control, tighten 
bolted connection between headlight range 
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Page 16 of 26
control linkage to axle beam. 
     
   Tightening torque: 3 Nm +1/-0 Nm (27 in. lb +9/-
0 in. lb) 
     
-  Install cover below rear axle.
     
-  Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary 
 page 44
-6 . 
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Page 17 of 26
42-14
      
Guide bushings, removing and installing
 
    
Lowering rear axle 
-  On vehicles with headlight range control remove linkage from axle 
beam. 
-  Remove bolts from guide bushing mount and lower axle.
-  Position VW552 guide piece to prevent brake lines from becoming 
stressed. 
    
Removing guide bushing 
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Page 18 of 26
42-15
 
    
Guide bushing installation position 
The guide bushing must be pulled into the rear axle with the arrow on the 
3128/1a installation piece pointing in direction -B-.  
    
Pulling in guide bushing 
The remainder of the installation is the reverse of removal.  
CAUTION! 
Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when tightening guide 
bushing to rear axle bolts. Otherwise bonded rubber bushings will 
be subjected to torsion resulting in shortened service life 
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Page 19 of 26
42-16
 
  
Rear wheel bearing and wheel hub, 
servicing
 
Before carrying out work on the wheel bearings or 
wheel hub the wheel and brake caliper must be 
removed:  
 Repair Manual, Brake System, Repair Group 46
 
  
CAUTION! 
Notes: 
 Suspend the brake caliper using a piece of 
wire. 
 Do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake 
hose. The unsupported weight can stretch 
and damage the brake hose. 
 Do not attempt to weld or straighten the load 
bearing components or parts of the 
suspension 
 Only re-install clean bearings; do not wash out 
bearings. 
 Make sure wheel bearing clearance is set 
carefully. 
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Page 20 of 26
42-17
 
  
1 - 
Axle beam 
Contact surface for stub axle must be free 
of dirt 
2 - 
Stub axle Different versions   parts catalog 
microfiche 
3 - 
Splash shield 
4 - 
Combi-bolt 
30 Nm (22 ft lb)
5 - 
Cotter pin Always replace
6 - 
Grease cap Always replaceForcing off   Fig. 1Driving in   Fig. 2
7 - 
Slotted ring 
Install over nut - 8 -
8 - 
Nut Setting wheel bearing clearance   Fig. 3
9 - 
Thrust washer 
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