- Fig. 1 Removable towing bracket: Removing the ball joint
- Fig. 2 Area below rear bumper: Fitting the plug
- Fig. 3 Luggage compartment: Ball joint for towing bracket (example)
Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracket
Before you remove the ball joint, fit the grease cap back on.
Insert the key -1- Fig. 1 in the lock and turn it so that the red marking on the key is facing upwards. Ensure that the key remains horizontal while releasing the spring mechanism; otherwise it will not be possible to move the operating lever.
Hold the neck of the ball joint with your left hand. Press the locking pin -2- Fig. 1 all the way in with your right hand and, at the same time, push the operating lever -3- downwards until it locks in position WARNING!.
Pull the ball joint down out of the mounting fixture.
Insert the plug into the mounting fixture Fig. 2.
Stow the ball joint attachment in clean condition under the floor panel in the luggage compartment Fig. 3. Secure the ball joint with the belt.
Insert the bumper cover with the retaining tabs first and turn both fasteners 90° until they are secure.
To prevent it being lost, the key cannot be taken out of the lock once the ball joint has been removed. If you lose the key, please contact an Audi dealer.
- To avoid injury, keep your hands away from the operating lever when inserting the ball joint in the mounting fixture.
- Make sure that the plug is properly engaged in the mounting fixture on the vehicle. Otherwise dirt may accumulate in the mounting fixture and the ball joint may fail to engage securely the next time it is used – this could cause an accident.