Removal and installation the parking brake cable
When removing the parking brake cable, there are differences between 2WD and 4WD (Quattro) vehicles.
Support the rear of the vehicle on stands and remove the rear wheels. Release the parking brake.
Remove the exhaust heat shield, which is located next to the parking brake cable (4 mounting points). Quattro models have it too.
Loosen the parking brake cable tension on the adjuster. To do this, pull out the adjuster element fastening clamp and screw in the adjusting nut until it stops. The figure shows the necessary parts.
At the end of the cable, at the caliper, lift the spring clip shown in the figure and unhook the connecting nipple from the lever on the caliper. If the cable is to be reinstalled, the corrugated rubber boot must not be damaged. The figure shows a car with two-wheel drive at the front. On Quattro models, the cable enters from below and is secured at the bottom and suspended at the top.
Now release the parking brake cable from the various fasteners on the rear axle and the body floor. To do this, open the metal holders and pull out the cable and also squeeze it out of the fastener with a screwdriver.
For Quattro models: Release the parking brake cable from the body floor and from the fuel tank. The attachment points are shown by arrows. In doing so, auxiliary parts may fall out. They must not be reinstalled.
Remove the heat shield on the exhaust muffler and move it to the side (4 mounting points). Not so with Quattro.
Inside the car cabin, remove the rear part of the center console. This is quite difficult:
Tighten the parking brake lever and use a screwdriver to loosen the small mounting screw on the underside of the parking brake handle and remove it. Now pull the handle forward.
Remove the parking brake lever trim forward and upward.
After removing the ashtray, unscrew the exposed nut.
There are two covers visible at the junction between the front and back parts. Pry them off. There are two bolts there. Unscrew them.
Separate the front and back parts. By lightly pressing down, they move apart.
Tighten the parking brake lever again and pull the console forward, without removing it completely, as there is still one wire attached to it. Remove the plug from the retaining tabs.
Disconnect the parking brake cable from the equalizer lever and remove it.
Quattro: Unhook the parking brake cable from the guide on the rear axle. To do this, squeeze the guide sleeve in the direction of the arrow and then pull out the parking brake cable.
When installing, proceed as follows: Insert the parking brake cable from below. On Quattro models, push the cable far enough through the wishbone until the guide bush snaps into place.
Remove all plastic parts on the equalizer lever. They should not be reused. Insert a screwdriver to lock the equalizer lever in the middle position.
Pass the ball head through the equalizer lever and secure it in the lever.
Reattach the parking brake cable to the body floor and to the rear axle (on the Quattro model and on the fuel tank) and connect the end of the cable to the drive lever. Insert the fastener.
Adjust the parking brake. Reinstall the center console in the reverse order of removal.