Description

Audi Q7 Training Manual – Transfer Case 0AQ (Self-Study Programme 363)

If you have ever wasted an afternoon chasing a driveline noise on an Audi Q7 with only a generic aftermarket PDF that says “refer to dealer,” you know why this Training Manual belongs on the bench. The 36 pages inside SSP 363 are not a workshop manual — they are the engineering briefing Audi gives its own techs. That means you get the design logic, the torque split math, and the exact oil path before you touch a single bolt. No guesswork, no third-party interpretation.

What This Training Manual Actually Covers

Open the contents and you find a brief description of the 6-speed manual gearbox 08D and the 6-speed automatic gearbox 0AT/09D — but the meat is in the transfer case 0AQ. Sections on the self-locking centre differential, asymmetric basic torque distribution (page 21), and dynamic torque split (page 22) explain how the Q7 splits power front-to-rear. The chain drive gets its own chapter (page 26), and the lubrication section (page 28) shows oil routing and sealing details. This is not a recipe book; it is a system understanding that lets you diagnose instead of swap parts.

Asymmetric Torque Distribution: Why It Matters

Most SUV transfer cases split torque 50/50. Audi’s 0AQ uses an asymmetric planetary set — 40% front, 60% rear by default — and then varies that dynamically based on wheel slip and steering angle. Page 21 gives the basic split; page 22 explains the dynamic control. Without that knowledge, a vibration complaint can send you down the wrong path, replacing driveshafts when the real issue is a stuck differential clutch. This manual shows you the internal oil supply that keeps those clutches alive.

Is This a Workshop Manual?

No. Read page 3: “The self-study programme is not a workshop manual! All values given are intended as a guideline only.” You still need the official repair manual for torque specs, fault codes, and removal procedures. But this Training Manual fills the gap that repair books leave open — the why behind the how. It covers service special tools (page 31) and operating instructions (page 32). If you are rebuilding a transfer case 0AQ without understanding the oil supply passages on page 30, you are gambling with a $3,000 assembly.

Service Tools and Special Equipment Needed

Page 31 lists the specialized tools Audi expects you to have: bearing pullers, seal drivers, and the torque adapter for the chain drive sprocket nut. Do not start a transfer case job without verifying you have those tools. Aftermarket manuals often skip this; SSP 363 lays it out. Combined with Audi Q7 Electrical System Self-Study Programme 364, you get the full picture of the Q7 driveline and its electronic controls.

For the manual gearbox selector mechanism, the manual directs you to SSP 299. That is the kind of cross-reference you only get from factory documentation. And if you want to understand how the Quattro system evolved, check Audi Q7 Self-study programme 375 Training Manual for the next-generation components.

Source Validity: OEM vs Aftermarket

This is an original Audi training publication, not a scan of someone’s notes. The diagrams are factory schematics, the values match the TSBs, and the language is consistent with every other Audi SSP I have used in 28 years. Aftermarket manuals love to cut corners: they omit the chain drive tension values, they guess at the differential preload, and they never mention the asymmetric torque split because they do not understand it. This manual gives you the real data. If you need the companion Audi Q7 Self-study programme Training Manual for the engine or transmission, that is available too.

For broader context, the Automotive Industry Overview at Wikipedia explains why OEM training materials exist, and the Manual Transmission page can help if you are dealing with the 08D gearbox.

FAQ

Will this manual tell me the torque spec for the transfer case output flange nut?

No. This is a training manual, not a repair manual. It explains design and function. You need the workshop manual for torque values.

Can I use this to rebuild the transfer case 0AQ in my garage?

You can use it to understand the oil circuits, chain drive layout, and differential mechanism before you pull the unit. But you must pair it with the official repair manual for step-by-step disassembly, torque values, and special tool numbers. Skipping that step will cost you a working transfer case. The training manual alone is not enough — it tells you how the system works so you do not wreck it when you follow the shop manual.

Stop wasting time on incomplete aftermarket reprints. Access the Factory Manual directly from AutoRepairManuals and get the genuine Audi SSP 363 — the same training booklet used at Ingolstadt. Your Q7 deserves factory data.