Rear Suspension
Rear axle, removing and installing (all-wheel-drive vehicles)
Special tools, test equipment and auxiliary items
^ VAG 1752/1 spring compressor
^ VAG 1752/3 adaptor with protective linings
^ VAG 1383 A engine/transmission lifter
^ VAG 1359/2 universal mount
Removing
- Remove rear center console.
- Remove both rear wheels.
- Disconnect exhaust system at clamp and remove rear section of exhaust system.
CAUTION:
Do not deflect the isolating element at the front exhaust pipe more than 10° otherwise it could become damaged.
- Remove rear heat shield for driveshaft.
- If applicable, suspend exhaust pipe together with three-way catalytic converter from driveshaft center bearing.
- Check for factory markings (colored dots -arrows-) for aligning drive flange on driveshaft -A- to drive flange on rear final drive -B-. If necessary, apply colored dots (arrows).
- Remove bolts from drive flange.
- Support driveshaft using wire attached to underside of vehicle (arrows) and place wooden block 1 - below driveshaft.
- Remove parking brake cables.
Note:
If the same rear axle is to be re-installed, only disconnect the parking brake cables at the parking brake lever, underbody and at the fuel tank. Leave the parking brake cables in position at the rear axle and at the brake calipers.
- Disconnect brake lines at fittings -1- and -2- at left-rear below vehicle.
- Unclip brake lines from holder (arrow) below vehicle.
- Remove holders -1- and -2- for wiring to ABS wheel speed sensors -G44- and -G46- at lower control arm.
- Pull ABS wheel speed sensors -G44- and -G46- (arrow) out of wheel bearing housing.
- Unhook wiring for wheel speed sensors at front of subframe.
- Attach VAG 1752/1 spring compressor and spring holder with VAG 1752/3 adaptor and protective linings at second and next to last coils of coil spring.
- Compress coil spring.
Note:
On vehicles with headlight range control, the linkage for the headlight range control must be disconnected to remove the rear axle or lower control arm.
- While coil spring is still compressed, remove bolts (arrows) from suspension strut mounting bracket.
- Swivel suspension strut outward at top and relieve coil spring tension.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage the edge of the wheelhousing.
- Using above procedure, remove suspension strut from opposite side.
- Remove exhaust system bracket from rear final drive.
- Support final drive using VAG 1383 A engine/transmission lifter and VAG 1359/2 universal mount.
- Secure rear final drive with strap.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage the fuel tank.
- Remove bolts (arrows) at front cross member for rear final drive.
- Remove four subframe bolts (arrows).
- Slowly lower subframe together with rear final drive.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage the edge of the wheelhousing.
Installing
Installation is the reverse of removal. Observe the following:
CAUTION:
Any residual paint, residual adhesive and/or corrosion in the threads/splines must be removed.
Note:
To prevent imbalance, drive flange -A- on driveshaft and drive flange -B- on rear final drive must be installed with colored markings aligned (arrows).
- Replace gasket between driveshaft and rear final drive drive flanges.
- Peel off protective backing and bond gasket to drive flange.
^ Bonding surface must be free of grease
- Replace driveshaft bolts (self-locking).
- Bleed brake system.
- Adjust parking brake
- Adjust toe and camber at rear axle.
- Align exhaust system free of stress.
- Replace four subframe bolts and washers.
Installation position of washers: ribbed side facing upward
Tightening torques
