Rear Suspension

Drive axle, removing and installing

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required





^ Spring compressor V.A.G 1752/1
^ Adapter V.A.G 1752/9
^ Spring retainers V.A.G 1752/16
^ Torque wrench V.A.G 1331


^ Torque wrench V.A.G 1332

Removing
- Remove wheel trim; pull trim cap off light-alloy wheels, (using puller in vehicle tool kit).





- Loosen collared bolt - arrow - only 90° otherwise wheel bearing will be damaged.

CAUTION: The vehicle must be standing on its wheels when loosening and tightening the collared bolt. - Risk of accident -.

- Remove wheel.
- Hand-tighten all 5 wheel bolts again.
- Apply parking brake firmly.
- Remove collared bolt - arrow -.
- Remove coil spring go to Coil spring (rear).





- Remove combi bolts - 2 - and heat shield.
- Remove bolts - 1 -.
- Lift trapezoidal link by hand until drive axle can be detached from flange shaft in transmission toward front of vehicle.





- Pull exhaust pipe downward slightly - arrow A - and push drive axle inward - arrow B - until it can be removed from wheel hub.
- Pull exhaust pipe downward slightly again and guide drive axle outward over cover plate.





- Remove drive shaft from below - arrow A -.

Note:
^ Do not to damage cover plate - arrow B - or body.

Installing

Note:
^ Replace bolts and self-locking nuts, instructions in exploded views go to Part I: Subframe, front wheel drive.

Installation is carried out in reverse sequence.
- Insert drive axle from below, and push into wheel hub onto stop.





- Align holes of drive axle and flange shaft in transmission, install bolts - 1 - and tighten, (100 mm diameter) or, (108 mm diameter).
- Install heat shield; install and tighten combi bolts - 2 -.
- Install coil spring go to Coil spring (rear).
- Install new collared bolt and tighten to prescribed torque, but do not turn further.
- Install wheel and fasten go to Wheels and tires.
- Lower vehicle onto its wheels.
- Tighten collared bolt by turning through specified angle.