Front Suspension

Subframe, removing and installing

Special tools and equipment





^ V.A.G 1331 Torque wrench
^ V.A.G 1332 Torque wrench
^ V.A.G 1383 A Engine/transmission jack with universal transmission support V.A.G 1359/2
^ T10038 Tightening strap, 2 off
^ 8 mm Drift (commercially available), 2 off

Removing
^ Place vehicle on lifting platform.





^ Install engine support bar and support engine.
^ Remove wheel trim, detach trim cap for light-alloy wheels (puller in vehicle tool kit).
^ Remove wheels.
^ Secure brake discs with wheel bolt.
^ Clean the air connection area.





^ Remove the connection piece on both sides -1- of the residual pressure retention valves -2-. Air will escape when doing this.

Note: The residual pressure retention valve -2- must not be loosened or removed.

^ Seal both connections, make sure that no particles of dirt enter the connections.
^ Removing front and center noise insulation.
^ Remove noise insulation cross member from subframe.





^ Unbolt connecting link of self-leveling sensor -1- from control arm on both sides.
^ Remove left and right connecting link -2-.
^ Unscrew nuts of both guide and control arms on subframe.

Note: The wheel bearing housing must be supported to avoid damage to the upper links joints.





^ Lift both wheel bearing housings clear by approximately 50 mm and tie up. This is done by guiding tensioning belt T10038 through the hole in the body.
^ Unplug the self-leveling sensor connector on left and right.
^ Mark the position of the subframe on the body with a felt pen.





^ Position engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A with hard wood support under the subframe while pressing lightly on opposite side.
-Remove engine mounting bolts -1-.
-Remove bolts -2- and -3- and detach engine carrier -4- with stabilizer bar.
-Remove bolts -5- and -6-.
A second mechanic is required for the next step.
^ Lower rear subframe approximately 80 mm (subframe mounting must be under the longitudinal member).
^ Remove bolt from left guide link.
^ Turn steering to right.
^ Press subframe as far as possible to the right and remove left guide link from subframe.

Note: To avoid damage to the guide links joints, no pressure must be exerted on the removed guide links.

^ The right guide link is removed from the subframe following the same procedure as for the left.
^ Remove bolts from left and right of control arm.
^ Push subframe as far to left or right as possible and swing out left or right control arm.
^ Lower subframe.

Installing
Installation is in reverse order. Note the following when doing so:
^ The tightening torques of nuts/bolts and information on whether the must be replaced can be found => (layout of front axle components).
Layout of Front Axle Components

^ Initially tighten nuts/bolts of components with bonded rubber bushing hand-tight only. Raise the wheel bearing housing in order to tighten the (control position).
^ Insert control arm and guide links in subframe.
^ Place subframe on marked location in relation to the body.
^ Screw down all bolts of the engine carrier and subframe.

Note: When installing the engine carder, make sure that the centering flange of the engine mount is seated in the engine carrier's locating holes.





^ Align engine carrier and subframe in relation to each other using 8 mm drifts.
The holes in the subframe -1- and engine carrier -2- must be perpendicular to each other.
^ Screw down the subframe bolts with tightening torque only, not with the further turn angle (do not tighten bolts until wheel alignment has been performed).

WARNING: The vehicle must not be driven in this condition.

^ Install and tighten wheels.
^ Perform wheel alignment.
^ After wheel alignment, the bolts of the subframe attachment must be tightened with the appropriate turn angle.
^ Perform the control position adaptation procedure.