Audi Q3: Wheel Cover, Removing and Installing

Front Wheel Cover, Removing and Installing

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• Hot Air Blower VAG1416 -VAG1416-
• Wedge Set -T10383-
• Cleaning Solution -D 009 401 04-

Removing

- Remove the front wheel spoiler. Refer to → Chapter "Front Wheel Spoiler, Removing and Installing".

- Loosen the from wheel housing liner in the area of the bumper cover and the fender. Refer to → Chapter "Front Wheel Housing Liner, Removing and Installing".

- Insert a 8 mm socket on the grommets on the wheel housing trim from the inside on fender and by doing this the clips underneath release.

- Carefully remove the wheel housing trim from the outside from the released clips in stages from the fender.

- Release the retaining tabs on the bumper -4- on the inside using a narrow screwdriver and disengage -arrows-.

- Remove the wheel cover -2- slightly from the bumper cover -1-.

- If necessary carefully warm the wheel cover using the Hot Air Blower -VAS1978/14A- and pry using the wedge -T10383/1- from the bumper cover.

Installing

  Caution

• The wheel cover two-sided adhesive tape protective film can only be removed and bonded in the bumper cover area.
• In the fender area the wheel cover protective film -C- must stay on the two-sided adhesive tape.

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

- Clean the adhesive surface on the bumper cover with Cleaning Solution -D 009 401 04-.

- Check the seal -B- for damage.

- Remove the protective film from the adhesive tape -D-.

- Install the wheel cover -E- in the sequence -1 through 3-, as illustrated.

- 1. Install the lower wheel cover on the fender.

- 2. Install the wheel cover until it engages audibly on the fender.

- 3. Place the wheel cover on the bumper cover and push in until it engages audibly.

- Install the front wheel housing liner. Refer to → Chapter "Front Wheel Housing Liner, Removing and Installing".

- Install the front wheel spoiler. Refer to → Chapter "Front Wheel Spoiler, Removing and Installing".

Rear Wheel Cover, Removing and Installing

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• Hot Air Blower VAG1416 -VAG1416-
• Wedge Set -T10383-
• Cleaning Solution -D 009 401 04-

Removing

- Loosen the rear wheel housing liner in the area of the side panel and on the bumper cover. Refer to → Chapter "Rear Wheel Housing Liner, Removing and Installing".

- Disengage the wheel housing trim on the side panel on the lower C-pillar beginning at the rear in steps using the Wedge Set -T10383-.

- Release the tabs on the inside with a narrow screwdriver -4- through the opening -arrows- and remove the wheel cover -1- from the outside slightly from the bumper cover -3-.

- Carefully warm the wheel cover with the Hot Air Blower -VAS1978/14A- and remove from the bumper cover.

Installing

  Caution

• The wheel cover two-sided adhesive tape protective film can only be removed and bonded in the bumper cover area.
• In the fender area the side panel protective film -C- must stay on the two-sided adhesive tape.

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

- Clean the adhesive surface on the vehicle body with Cleaning Solution -D 009 401 04-.

- Check the seal -B- for damage.

- Remove the protective film only from the adhesive tape -A-.

- Install the wheel cover -D- in the sequence -1 through 3-, as illustrated.

- 1. Install the lower wheel cover on the rear side panel.

- 2. Push the wheel cover until it engages audibly on the rear side panel.

- 3. Place the wheel cover on the bumper cover and push in until it engages audibly.

• Resting time approximately 3.5 hours at room temperature

- Install the rear wheel housing liner. Refer to → Chapter "Rear Wheel Housing Liner, Removing and Installing".

Door Gap Cover, Removing and Installing

  Note

Unpainted door gap covers must be replaced.

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• Hot Air Blower VAG1416 -VAG1416-
• Wedge Set -T10383-
• Cleaning Solution -D 009 401 04-

Removing

- Open the door.

- Carefully warm the door gap cover -1- using the Hot Air Blower -VAS1978/14A- and pry using the wedge -T10383/1- from the door -2- and disengage downward -arrows-.

Installing

  Note

• Replace unpainted door gap covers after removal.
• Before reinstalling painted door gaps cover replace the two-sided adhesive tape at the same position with Two-Sided Adhesive Tape -D 438 515 A1- = 15 mm wide or with Two-Sided Adhesive Tape - D 438 515 A2- = 6 mm.

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

- Clean the adhesive surface on the door with Cleaning Solution -D 009 401 04-.

- Check if all rubber buffers -3- are seated in their mounts.

- Remove the protective film from the adhesive tape -1, 4, 5 and 8-.

- Engage the door gap cover -6- on the bottom door -2- and over the center securing tab -7-.

- Push in the door gap cover from the outside to the inside until it engages audibly.

• Resting time approximately 3.5 hours at room temperature

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