Front Cross-Member: Service and Repair
Subframe, stabilizer bar, control arms, assembly overviewGeneral notes:
- Load bearing components or parts of the suspension must not be welded or straightened.
- Do not attempt to move the vehicle when the drive axle has been removed, as this will result in wheel bearing damage. If the vehicle does have to be moved, always note the following points:
- Install outer joint in place of drive axle.
- Tighten outer joint to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.).
- Bonded rubber mountings can only be turned to a limited extent. The bolted connections on the suspension links should therefore only be tightened when the vehicle is standing on the ground.
1 - Subframe retaining bracket
- Caged nut cannot be retrofitted. If nut is damaged, bracket must be replaced as a complete unit.
2 - Welded nut in body
- Thread in body can be repaired with wire thread insert according to DIN 8140 (Hell -Coil). Thread insert must be the same length as the thread in the body.
3 - Mounting
- Two - piece version; note installation position go to Fig 2
4 - Hex bolt
- M14 x 1.5 x 63
- Tighten to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.) and turn 90° further
- Replace each time after removing
6 - Rear control arm mounting
- Installation position
- Pressing out and in
7 - Hex bolt
- M12 x 1.5 x 70
- Tighten to 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.) and turn 90° further
- Replace each time after removing
8 - Self - locking nut
- Tighten to 45 Nm (33 ft. lbs.)
- M12 x 1.5
- Replace each time after removing
9 - Ball joint
- Mark installation position. If replaced, set to center of elongated hole and check toe setting/camber
- Wheel alignment; Refer to Alignment
10 - Hex nut
- Tighten to 80 Nm (59 ft. lbs.)
- M10
- Replace each time after removing
11 - Control arm
- Removing and installing; Refer to Control Arm.
12 - Hex bolt
- Tighten to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)
- M8 x 20
13 - Linkage for headlight range control
- Checking adjustment
14 - Front control arm mounting
15 - Hex bolt
- M14 x 1.5 x 95
- Tighten to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.) and turn 90° further
- Replace each time after removing
16 - Connecting link
- Between stabilizer bar and suspension strut
17 - Hex nut
- Tighten to 100 Nm
- M12 x 1.5
- Replace each time after removing
18 - Stabilizer bar
- Subframe must be lowered to remove and install
19 - Hex bolt
- M12 x 1.5 x 78
- Tighten to 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.) and turn 90° further
- Replace each time after removing
20 - Hex bolt
- Tighten to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)
- M8 x 48
21 - Hex bolt
- Tighten to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.)
- M10 x 70
22 - Hex bolt
- Tighten to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.)
- M10 x 30
23 - Pendulum support
24 - Subframe
- Component location go to Fig. 3
25 - Rubber mounting
26 - Clamp
27 - Hex bolt
- Tighten to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)
- M8 x 20
Fig. 1 Adjusting linkage for headlight range control
Distance - a - = 19 mm
Notes: Only for brackets with elongated hole!
Fig. 2 Installation position of upper and lower sections of subframe mounting
A - Upper section of mounting without collar: ribs go toward body.
B - Lower section of mounting with collar: goes toward bolt head.
Fig. 3 Crossmember component location
- Always replace bolt after removing.
- Tightening torque: 30 Nm + turn additional 90°.
- Install using locking compound D 000 600 A2.
F - Driving direction
1 - Carrier
2 - Install rivet nuts M10 using VAG1765B
3 - Crossmember: install with printed "L" (left) in driving direction
Foam strips toward bottom (arrow).
4 - Hex bolt M10 X 45
VAG1765B pliers
Subframe, removing and installing
Special tools and equipment
- VAG1383A Transmission jack with universal support VAG1359/2
- 3287A Ball joint puller
- VAG1332 torque wrench: 40-200 Nm
Removing
- Remove wheels.
- Remove noise insulation.
- Remove coupling link nut from stabilizer bar.
- Unscrew Torso bolt for noise insulation.
- Remove upper nut on ball joint.
- Apply ball joint puller as shown in illustration and press out ball joint.
Notes: To protect ball joint threads, leave nut on a few turns.
- Remove bolts - 1 - for steering box and bolts - 2 - for pendulum support.
- Vehicles with 165 kW engine (engine code APX): detach rubber mounting on front exhaust pipe.
- Place transmission jack VAG1383 A with universal support 1359/2 under subframe.
- Remove bolts - 3 - and - 4 - for subframe.
- Lower subframe carefully.
When installing, note the following points in particular:
Before inserting bolts for subframe, position steering box on sub - frame and insert bolts.
The threaded sleeve - 1 - must seat in subframe hole.
Notes: Normal, commercially available tools (18 mm ring socket attachment) can also be used instead of VAG 1332/10.
1 - Torx key T40
- Install ball joint in wheel bearing housing.
- Screw on new self - locking nut, and counter - hold with T40 Torx key.
Notes: Ensure that boot is not damaged or twisted.
Tightening torques:
Ball joint to wheel bearing housing (use new nuts) Tighten to 45 Nm (33 ft. lbs.)
Pendulum support to transmission
M 10 x 70 Tighten to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.)
M 10 x 30 Tighten to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.)
Pendulum support to subframe Tighten to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)
Steering box to subframe (use new bolts) Tighten to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.) + 90°
Coupling link to stabilizer bar (use new nuts) Tighten to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.)
Subframe to body (use new bolts) Tighten to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.) + 90°
- After installing, check position of steering wheel during a test drive.
If steering wheel is not in straight ahead position, the front axle tracking must be checked.