Subframe, Removing and Installing

Rear Subframe, Removing and Installing

Notes:
^ Vehicles with headlight vertical aim control, Refer to Lighting and Horns.
^ The removal work described refers to a A AWD vehicle.
^ The operations are intended to illustrate removal of the subframe as a complete unit (e.g. together with final drive, wheel bearing housing, trapezium links ... ).
^ Wheel alignment after carrying out repair, Refer to Alignment Description and Operation.





Note! Loosen collar bolt as a first step if the work is to be carried out.
^ Additional work required on the suspension
^ Subframe is to be replaced
^ Subframe bushings are to be replaced

WARNING! To reduce the risk of accident, vehicle must be standing on the ground when loosening and tightening collar bolt.

Special tools and equipment





^ VAG 1383A and VAG1359/2





^ VAG 1752

Removing
^ Remove wheels.
^ Secure brake discs with a lug bolt.
^ Remove rear section of exhaust system.
^ Remove heat shield for rear silencer.





^ Insert spring tensioner VAG 1752/1 with spring holder VAG 1752/3 into coil spring.

WARNING! To reduce the risk of accident, make sure coil spring is properly positioned in spring holder VAG 175213.

^ Compress spring until it can be removed.





^ Disconnect harness connector for ABS wheel-speed sensor -1- at left and right and set wires aside (arrows).





^ Detach parking brake cable -3- at brake caliper.
^ Press out clip -2- and pull out parking brake cable to rear.
^ Unbolt shock absorber from transverse link -1-.





^ Unbolt brake caliper (2nd bolt not visible).

Notes:
^ Suspend brake caliper from bodywork with binding wire.
^ Never leave brake caliper hanging from brake hose.





^ Check whether there is a factory marking (paint) on the drive shaft and the drive flange on the rear final drive. If not, mark position of drive shaft flange in relation to rear final drive flange with paint -arrow B-.





^ Support drive shaft using a wooden wedge -1-, press upward against heat shield.
^ Remove heat shield -2-.
^ Remove securing bolts of drive shaft to rear final drive.





^ Remove holder -1-.
^ Pull parking brake cable out of guide - 2- to rear.
^ Remove hex bolt -3-. Remove guide for parking brake cable.





^ Position transmission lifter VAG 1383 A with plate VAG 1359/2 at final drive.
^ Tension strap around final drive.

WARNING! Before REMOVING subframe bolts, secure vehicle to reduce the risk of tipping over (e.g. load of approximately 100 kg (220 lbs.) in luggage compartment).

^ Remove subframe bolts -arrows-.
^ Carefully lower subframe.

Pay special attention to the information when installing

Note: Replace bolts and self-locking nuts as described in instructions in exploded view, Refer to Suspension, Locations.





^ When inserting subframe, make sure tank breather lines -arrows- are neither damaged nor trapped.
^ Always replace subframe bolts and washers: 150 Nm (111 ft. lbs.) plus additional 90° turn.

^ Bolt brake shield and brake caliper to wheel bearing housing
^ Install parking brake cables and attach them at brake calipers.
^ Install heat shield in drive shaft tunnel.

Drive shaft to final drive: 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.)

Notes:
^ It is essential that the locking fluid remaining in the threads in the flange shafts on the transmission and rear final drive is cleaned out after removing the drive shaft. Otherwise there is a danger that the new bolts will seize when they are screwed in and then shear if they have to be removed later.
^ The threaded holes can be cleaned with a thread tap.
^ Replace the gaskets on the flanged shafts (remove backing foil and stick gaskets onto flanged shaft, make sure that the surfaces are free of grease).





^ To prevent imbalance, the flanges on the drive shaft and on the rear final drive must be installed so that the factory markings (or the markings made on removal) are in alignment -arrow B-.

^ Install and align exhaust system.





^ Connect connector for ABS wheel speed sensor -1- at left and right.





^ Proceed as follows to tighten bolted joint -2-:
^ Lift trapezium link until shock absorber has been compressed approximately40-50mm.

Tightening torques
^ Item -2-, shock absorber to transverse link: 65 Nm (48 ft. lbs.)





^ The lower spring support has a groove.
^ This groove is to be inserted in the lug at the trapezium link.

^ Turn end of coil spring until it makes contact with lower spring support.
^ Then turn upper spring support (not shown) until it makes contact with top end of spring.
^ Slacken off spring.

If collar bolt has been removed:





^ Tighten collar bolt to 190 Nm (140 ft. lbs.) plus additional 180° turn.

Note: Always use new collar bolt!

WARNING! To reduce the risk of accident, vehicle must be standing on the ground when loosening and tightening collar bolt.