Audi Q3: Steering Column

Overview - Steering Column

  Note

Always replace corroded bolts/nuts.

1 - Instrument Panel Central Tube

2 - Shear Bolt

• Tighten the shear bolt until head shears off.

3 - Steering Column

• Removing and installing. Refer to → Chapter "Steering Column, Removing and Installing".

4 - Bolt

• 20 Nm
• Always replace if removed

5 - Steering Lock Housing with Lock Cylinder and Ignition/Starter Switch -D-

• Removing and installing. Refer to → Electrical Equipment; Rep. Gr.94; Steering Column Switch Module; Steering Lock Housing, Removing and Installing.

6 - Electronic Steering Column Lock Control Module -J764-

• Installed on vehicles with "Keyless Access Authorization System"
• Removing and installing. Refer to → Chapter "Electronic Steering Column Lock Control Module -J764-, Removing and Installing".

7 - Bolt

• 20 Nm
• Always replace if removed

8 - Brake Pedal Crash Brace

9 - Bolt

• 30 Nm
• Always replace if removed
• Clean the threaded hole (for example, using a thread tap) before installing the new bolt.

10 - Clutch Pedal Crash Brace

Steering Column, Checking for Damage

Visual check

- Check whether parts of steering column indicate damage.

Functional check

- Check that the steering column turns easily without jerking.

- Check that the steering column can be adjusted with respect to height and reach.

Steering Column, Handling and Transporting

  WARNING

• The correct handling of the steering column must always be observed.
• Incorrect handling of steering column may cause damage to steering column and therefore lead to a safety risk.

Correct handling and transport of steering column

• Transport steering column with two hands
• Hold steering column at upper steering rod tube and in area of upper universal joint

Incorrect handling of steering column

Transporting at the following components leads to pre-damage to steering column:

1 - Clamping Lever

2 - Weight Compensation Springs

3 - Deformation Element

Damage to universal joint bushings on lower steering column bushing due to:

• Holding and carrying the steering column with a hand on the connecting shaft
• Bending joints more than 90º

Steering Column, Removing and Installing

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• Torque Wrench 1331 5-50Nm -VAG1331-
• Torque Wrench 1332 40-200Nm -VAG1332-

Removing

The steering column is delivered only as a complete replacement part. Service is not possible.

The steering lock housing can be modified.

The Electronic Steering Column Lock Control Module -J764- can be modified.

  WARNING

Before starting work on electrical equipment and removing steering wheel, the following conditions must be fulfilled:

• Disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to → Electrical Equipment; Rep. Gr.27; Battery; Battery, Disconnecting and Connecting.
• The wheels must be straight.

If these notes are not observed, the airbag system may not function properly during vehicle operation!

- Straighten the wheels.

- Pull lever downward beneath steering column.

- Push the steering column as far down as possible and remove it.

- Remove the steering wheel. Refer to → Chapter "Steering Wheel, Removing and Installing".

- Remove the footwell vent under the steering column Refer to → Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning; Rep. Gr.87; Air Routing; Front Passenger Side Footwell Vent, Removing and Installing.

- Remove securing nuts -arrows- and remove foot well trim.

- Remove the steering column switch module. Refer to → Electrical Equipment; Rep. Gr.94; Steering Column Switch Module; Steering Column Switch Module, Removing and Installing.

Vehicles with ignition switch

- Remove the connector -arrow- from the Anti-Theft Immobilizer Reader Coil -D2-.

- Remove the connector -2- from the ignition/starter switch -1-.

- Free up the wires.

Vehicles with "Keyless Access Authorization System"

- Release the connector -1- and remove it from the Electronic Steering Column Lock Control Module -J764-.

- Free up the wire at the retaining bracket -arrow-.

Continuation for all

- Remove the clips -1, 3 and 4-.

- Remove the ground cable nut -2-.

- Remove the wiring guide -1- under the steering column. To do this, lift the tab -arrow- slightly and remove the wiring guide from the guide on the steering column in the direction of the -arrow-.

- Free up the wiring harness for the steering column wiring.

- Remove the bolt -arrow- and remove the universal joint -1- from the steering gear in the direction of the -arrow-.

- Remove the bolts -arrows- (while supporting the steering column at the top with one hand) and if installed, remove the crash bolsters -1 and 2-.

- Lower the steering column -3- slightly and carefully pull it out upward.

  Caution

For correct handling and transport of steering column. Refer to → Chapter "Steering Column, Handling and Transporting".

Installing

Installation is reverse of removal, noting the following:

- Hook steering column into assembly aid on mounting bracket -arrows A-.

- Align steering column to mounting bracket and install.

• While doing so, pins -1- of mounting bracket and holes -arrows B- of steering column must be positioned together and inserted into one another.
• Only in this way is the correct installation position of steering column to mounting bracket guaranteed.

- Tighten the upper bolts -arrows- for the steering column -3-.

- If equipped, insert the crash bolsters -1 and 2- and tighten the lower bolts -arrows- of the steering column bolted connections.

• Clean the threaded hole (for example, using a thread tap) before installing the new bolt -arrow-.

  WARNING

Pull on the universal joint to make sure it is secure when the bolt -arrow- is installed. Then tighten the bolt -arrow-.

• After installing the steering column switch module, the Steering Angle Sensor -G85- must be calibrated by starting the respective program on the Vehicle Diagnosis Tester.

Electronic Steering Column Lock Control Module -J764-, Removing and Installing

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• Angle Hand Drill, commercially available
• 8.5 mm diameter Drill Bit, commercially available

Removing

If a control module is being replaced, then select the function "Replace" for the respective control module on the Vehicle Diagnosis Tester in the "Guided Functions".

Follow the instructions on the screen.

- Straighten the wheels.

- Pull the lever on the side of the steering column downward.

- Push the steering column as far down as possible and remove it.

- Push the lever on the side of the steering column upward again.

- Remove the steering wheel. Refer to → Chapter "Steering Wheel, Removing and Installing".

- Remove the driver side instrument panel cover. Refer to → Body Interior; Rep. Gr.68; Storage Compartments and Covers; Driver Side Instrument Panel Cover, Removing and Installing.

- Remove the Steering Column Electronics Control Module -J527-. Refer to → Electrical Equipment; Rep. Gr.94; Steering Column Switch Module; Overview - Steering Column Switch Module.

- Remove the steering column switch module. Refer to → Electrical Equipment; Rep. Gr.94; Steering Column Switch Module; Steering Column Switch Module, Removing and Installing.

  Caution

The shavings must not get into the steering column.

Protect the steering column from any falling shavings using, for example, a cloth.

- Drill out the shear bolts -arrows- using an angle hand drill and an 8.5 mm diameter drill bit.

- Remove any shavings with a brush.

- Disconnect the connector -1-, free up the wire on the retaining bracket -arrow- and carefully remove the Electronic Steering Column Lock Control Module -J764- from the steering column.

  WARNING

After removing the Electronic Steering Column Lock Control Module -J764-, make sure that no dirt or foreign objects enter the steering column.

Installing

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

- Secure the Electronic Steering Column Lock Control Module -J764--1- with new shear bolts -arrows-.

- Tighten the shear bolts -arrows- evenly until the bolt heads shear off.

- Install the steering wheel. Refer to → Chapter "Steering Wheel, Removing and Installing".

- If the Electronic Steering Column Lock Control Module -J764- was replaced, then the Electronic Steering Column Lock Control Module -J764- must be adapted by selecting the function "Replace" on the Vehicle Diagnosis Tester in the "Guided Functions".

- Perform a basic setting on the Steering Angle Sensor -G85- using the Vehicle Diagnosis Tester.

- Follow the instructions on the screen.

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