Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Undamaged Rear Window, Removing And Installing, A6 Sedan
- Pay attention to the repair information. Refer to REPAIR INFORMATION .
- To complete the procedure, a second technician is required to be at the following position. Refer to UNDAMAGED REAR WINDOW, REMOVING AND INSTALLING, A6 SEDAN .
- Required Tools and Materials for Removal and Installation. Refer to Refer to REQUIRED TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Special tools and workshop equipment required
Preparing the Hook:
-- Insert a drill bit -2- into the small eye on the hook -1- and press the ends together more using pliers -arrows-.
Procedure
-- Remove the rear shelf. Refer to REAR SHELF, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
-- Use the Pliers:T40172C with the Adapter:T40172/1 to remove the expanding rivet -1-.
-- Remove the rear window frame trim panel -2-.
-- Remove the high-mounted brake lamp. Refer to HIGH-MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT M25, REMOVING AND INSTALLING, A6 SEDAN .
-- Remove the rear roof grab handles. Refer to ROOF GRAB HANDLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
There is a risk of damage due to improper handling.
- Do not kink the headliner.
- Replace the headliner if it is bent.
-- Unclip the rear headliner at the clips -1 and 3- from the body in direction of -arrows- using the Pry Lever:80 - 200 .
-- Unclip the headliner from the body in the center at the centering pin -2-.
-- Remove the nuts -arrows-.
-- Remove the ground wires -2 and 3- from the threaded pin and secure it to the center of the window with adhesive tape.
-- Disconnect the connector -1- and secure to the window glass with adhesive tape.
Risk of injury to the hands and eyes from glass fragments.
Getting cut is possible.
- Wear protective eyewear.
- Wear safety gloves.
-- Insert the Window Removal Set - Cutting Cord:VAS 861 001/1A in the awl -1-.
TIP:
To prevent any damage, cover the area where the awl comes out at the rear lid with adhesive tape.
-- Push the awl at the lower left side of the rear window from the inside outward through the adhesive bead -arrow- and pull the cutting cord outward.
- The awl stays in the adhesive bead.
-- Route the Window Removal Set - Cutting Cord:VAS 861 001/1A counter-clockwise under the rear window.
-- Guide in the Window Removal Set - Cutting Cord: VAS 861 001/1A in the hook -3- as shown.
-- Guide in the hook between the cover profile -1- for the rear window and the body -2-.
-- Route the Window Removal Set - Cutting Cord:VAS 861 001/1A with the hook on the side along and around the curve under the rear window.
-- Remove the hook and pull through the remaining Window Removal Set - Cutting Cord:VAS 861 001/1A to tension upward.
-- Guide the hook on the side of the rear window back between the rear window cover profile and the body.
-- Route the Window Removal Set - Cutting Cord:VAS 861 001/1A with the hook on the upper edge along and around the curve under the rear window.
-- Remove the hook and pull through the remaining Window Removal Set - Cutting Cord:VAS 861 001/1A to tension to the side.
-- Guide the hook on the upper edge of the rear window back between the rear window cover profile and the body.
-- Route the Window Removal Set - Cutting Cord:VAS 861 001/1A with the hooks on the side along the underside of the rear window.
-- Engage the Window Removal Set - Cutting Cord:VAS 861 001/1A to the awl and pull through inward.
-- Secure the end of the Window Removal Set - Cutting Cord: VAS 861 001/1A with the hook -1- to the body.
-- Secure the removal device with the reel device -2- on the inside of the window.
-- Insert the Window Removal Set - Cutting Cord:VAS 861 001/1A in the reel device -arrow-.
-- Tension the cutting cord with the reel device.
-- Cut free in the lower area of the rear window.
-- To guide the cord better place the trim wedge -1- from the Window Removal Set:VAS 861 001A underneath.
-- Loosen the centering pin -1- from the rear window with pliers.
-- Move the removal device -2- and cut free the area along the D-pillar upward.
-- Push in the cutting guard -3- from the Window Removal Set:VAS 861 001A to guide the Window Removal Set - Cutting Cord:VAS 861 001/1A between the window frame and the rear window.
-- Offset the removal device -1- and cut out the upper section of the rear window.
- The hook -2- must be engaged in the body.
-- Loosen the centering pin -2- from the rear window with pliers.
-- Move the removal device -1- and cut free the area along the D-pillar downward.
- The hook -3- must be engaged in the body.
-- Offset the removal device -1- and cut out the lower section of the rear window.
-- To better guide the cord, place the trim wedge -2- from the Window Removal Set:VAS 861 001A underneath it.
-- Remove the window glass with suction lifters.
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.