Subframe, Removing and Installing
Subframe, removing and installing
Note:
^ The steps described illustrate the removal of subframe as a complete unit (i.e. with rear final drive, hub carrier/wheel bearing housing, trapezoidal link...).
^ Wheel alignment following repair work, Refer to Alignment, Description and Operation.
Please note: Only unfasten collared bolt -arrow- 90° with vehicle standing on wheels if you wish to remove components which require removal of collared bolt.
WARNING!: Vehicle must be standing on wheels when loosening and tightening collared bolt.
-Danger of accident-
Special tools and equipment
^ VAG 1383 A Engine/transmission lifter
^ VAG 1752 Spring tensioner
^ VAG 1752/16 Spring holder set
Removing
WARNING!: Before -LOOSENING- subframe bolts, make sure vehicle will not become unbalanced and tip over (e.g. add approx. 50 kg of weight to trunk).
- Remove rear and side floor pan panels in front of subframe.
- Remove wheels.
- Secure brake discs with a wheel bolt.
- Remove rear section of exhaust system.
- Remove coil spring.
- Unbolt shock absorber from hub carrier/wheel bearing housing -1-.
- Remove parking brake cable from holder below trapezoidal link. To do so, unfasten bolts.
- Unscrew brake caliper -arrows-. For this use Allen key extension T40027.
Note:
^ Use binding wire to attach brake caliper to body.
^ Never leave brake caliper hanging from brake hose.
- Remove speed sensor and cable guide.
- In vehicles with headlight range control, disconnect connector of vehicle level control system sensor.
All wheel drive vehicles
- Check for factory mark (colored dot) on drive shaft and on flange/drive shaft of rear final drive. If there is no colored dot, make colored mark -arrow B- to identify position of drive shaft flange with respect to rear final drive.
- Unscrew drive shaft bolts of rear final drive -arrow A-.
- Secure drive shaft to body with wire.
- Disconnect parking brake cables from fuel tank.
- Remove shock absorbers.
- Unbolt splash plates.
Further procedure for all vehicles
- Apply transmission lifter VAG 1383-A with plate AG 1359/2 and a suitable block of wood to subframe or final drive (illustration for front wheel drive vehicles).
- Tighten belt around subframe or final drive.
WARNING!: Before -LOOSENING- subframe bolts, make sure vehicle will not become unbalanced and tip over (e.g. add approx. 50 kg of weight to trunk).
- Unscrew subframe bolts -arrows-.
Front-wheel drive vehicles
- Route parking brake cable and brake caliper above transverse link.
- Carefully lower subframe, guiding subframe so that it cannot slip off.
All wheel drive vehicles
- Carefully lower subframe by approximately 15 cm, guiding subframe so that it cannot slip off.
- Push subframe to left until right parking brake cable and brake caliper can be routed above transverse link.
Note: Take care not to stretch brake hose.
- Push subframe to right until left parking brake cable and brake caliper can be routed above transverse link.
- Lower subframe.
Installing
Pay particular attention to the following on installation:
Note: Replace bolts and self-locking nuts.
Install subframe in reverse order from removal.
- Center subframe in relation to body using four core bearing holes.
- Always replace subframe bolts and washers: 110 Nm plus additional 90° turn.
- Bolt brake caliper to hub carrier or wheel bearing housing.
- Flange-mount drive shaft to rear final drive.
Note: To prevent imbalance, flanges of drive shaft and rear final drive must be installed such that colored marks made at factory or subsequently are aligned with each other-arrow B-.
- Install and align exhaust system.
- Screw on shock absorber -1- initially to 20 Nm.
- Install coil spring.
Note: Only if collared bolt has been removed:
^ Always use new collared bolt.
- Initially tighten collared bolt to 190 Nm.
- Lower vehicle to stand on wheels.
- Loosen shock absorber bolt and bounce vehicle several times.
- Tighten nut -1- to 160 Nm plus additional 90° turn.
Only if collared bolt has been removed:
- Turn collared bolt additional 180°.
WARNING!: Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when loosening and tightening collared bolt.
-Danger of accident-
- Check wheel alignment.