Rear Suspension
Subframe, removing and installing
Special tools and equipment
^ V.A.G 1383 A Engine/transmission jack with universal transmission support V.A.G 1359/2
Removing
Note:
^ The operational steps show how to remove the subframe as a complete unit (i.e. with rear axle drive, wheel carrier/wheel bearing housing, trapezoidal link...).
^ After repairing, perform wheel alignment.
CAUTION: Before loosening the subframe bolts, make sure that the vehicle will not overturn (e.g. place load of at least 100 kg in luggage compartment).
^ Place vehicle on lifting platform.
The following operational steps must be performed on the right and the left side.
Please note:
Unfasten the collar bolt first if:
^ you wish to replace the drive axle
^ or other components that necessitate removal of the collar bolt
WARNING: To reduce the risk of accident, the vehicle must be standing on its wheels when loosening and tightening the collar bolt.
^ Remove wheel trim, detach trim cap for light-alloy wheels (puller in vehicle tool kit).
^ Remove wheel.
^ Secure brake disc with a wheel bolt.
^ Remove wheel housing liner.
^ Detach connector -1- for brake caliper wiring harness from retainer and unplug.
^ Detach connector -2- from speed sensor -2-.
^ Detach brake caliper and attach to body.
Note:
^ Secure brake caliper to body with wire.
^ Do not suspend the brake caliper from the brake hose.
^ Unscrew bolts -1- to -3- from splash plate-4- and remove splash plate.
^ Detach connector for self-leveling sensor -1-.
^ Detach brake line bracket-2-.
^ Unscrew bolt -1- of connecting link and disengage brake line bracket -2-.
^ Swivel connecting link toward rear.
^ Remove rear section of exhaust system.
^ Unscrew bolts -1- of wiring lead -through -2-.
^ Detach air spring damper from transverse link and swing toward rear.
^ Undo bolts -arrows- of air duct at rear final drive and detach air duct.
^ Before detaching the drive shaft -1- at the rear final drive, support it on the cross member -2- with a block of wood.
^ Mark position of drive shaft on rear final drive using paint.
^ Screw in bolt -3- M10 x 100 into rear final drive.
^ To loosen the bolts -1- of the drive shaft, counterhold with an assembly lever -2-.
^ Remove bolts -1- of drive shaft.
^ Place engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A with universal transmission mounting 1359/2 under rear final drive and secure rear final drive. ^Remove subframe bolts -1- to 4-.
^ Lower subframe carefully; guide brake calipers -arrows- through suspensions.
^ Attach brake caliper to body.
Note:
^ Secure brake caliper to body with wire.
^ Do not suspend the brake caliper from the brake hose.
Installing
Installation is in reverse order. Note the following:
^ The tightening torques of nuts/bolts and information on whether the nuts/bolts must be replaced => (layout of rear axle components).
Layout of Rear 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 nuts/bolts (control position).
^ Place engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A with universal transmission mounting 1359/2 under rear final drive and secure rear final drive.
^ Raise subframe carefully; guide brake calipers -arrows- through suspensions.
^ Center the subframe over the four mounting core holes to the body.
^ Screw in and tighten new bolts and washers for subframe.
^ Screw drive shaft to rear final drive.
^ Position air duct on rear final drive and tighten bolts -arrows-.
^ Tighten the bolts -1- of the wiring lead-through -2-.
^ Install and align the exhaust system.
^ Plug in connector for self-leveling sensor -1-.
^ Install bracket -2- of brake line.
^ Screwing down/unscrewing splash plate-4- with bolts -1- to -3-.
Note The wiring harness bracket behind the splash plate is screwed onto the wheel bearing housing with bolts -2- and -3-.
^ Screw on brake caliper.
^ Install bracket -2- for brake line and tighten bolted connection -1- of connecting link.
To install and tighten the bolts, the wheel bearing housing must be raised to control position.
^ Plug connector -2- to speed sensor.
^ Insert connector -1- of the brake caliper in the retainer and plug in.
^ Tighten the connector -1- at residual pressure retainer valve -2-.
^ Install the wheel housing liner.
^ Installing bolt for self-leveling sensor -1-. The sensor lever must face inward
^ Press wheel bearing housing down manually and insert -4- in air spring damper/transverse link.
^ Tighten nut -3- hand-tight only.
^ Tightening the bolt-4- with the vehicle standing on the ground at normal level. Counterhold nut -3-.
Only if the collar bolt has been loosened:
Note: Always use a new collar bolt.
^ Tighten drive axle collar bolt.
^ Perform wheel alignment.
^ Perform the control position adaptation procedure.