pwstein

I've just completed a transmission filter and fluid change on my 2000 A8. Mostly smooth, thanks to plenty of write-ups and tutorials.

I wanted to question the forum on one thing. Horizontal brackets underneath the transmission had to be removed in order to drop the pan. I had not seen these, read of them nor saw any mention in Bentley regarding these two brackets.

I can guess they might be structurally supportive but I'm curious as to their actual function. Are they stock or did someone add them from an S8? The forward piece had some nicks and the bolt heads on the left were half ground down by some serious scraping.

One is painted steel [16mm bolts], reminding me of a lawnmower blade. The other was square-stock aluminum with threads [13mm bolts]. Picture with transmission pan at top-left corner, aluminum bracket in back, steel in front:


Mostly curious, especially if there are torque specs, and wanted to share in case others could be surprised to find them like I was.

silverd2

The braces were added to all facelift D2's (2000-2003)...A8 and S8, for structural rigidity...better steering response and cornering precision.

Added protection for the ATF pan is a plus, but maybe not part of the intended purpose(?).

They're only mentioned once in Bentley, in alignment specs but only as a means of identifying car being made after 9/99 ....but no torque specs. I winged it, judging by their size and feel.
Approx >>> The small bar bolts "tight" (35-40 ft lbs?)...the large bar bolts "very tight" (50-55 ft lbs?).

A8CT

Yep, they're stock items at least on the facelift cars.