Procedures

Drive Axle Outer Joint Collar Bolt, Loosening and Tightening

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Torque wrench (V.A.G 1576)

Loosening

- Remove wheel trim cap, remove cover cap on light-alloy wheels (removal hook in vehicle tool kit).


When loosening and tightening collar bolt, vehicle must stand on wheels.

-risk of accident-

- Loosen the bolt for the outer drive axle joint nut a maximum of 90° (only loosen with vehicle resting on wheels -accident risk-).

- Raise vehicle and remove wheel.

- Tighten all five wheel bolts by hand.

A second mechanic is needed for the next step:

- 1. Mechanic: Sit in vehicle and operate foot brake.

- 2. Mechanic: Remove the drive axle collar bolt.

If collar screw is loose or removed, wheel bearings must not be loaded.

If the bearings are loaded by the vehicle's own weight the wheel bearing will be damaged. This reduces the service life of the wheel bearings.

If it should be necessary to move a vehicle whose drive axle has been removed, then before doing so install an outer joint in place of the drive axle and tighten it to 200 Nm, or else wheel bearing will be damaged.

Tightening

- Replace collar bolt.

A second technician is needed to tighten the drive axle collar bolt:

- 1. Mechanic: Sit in vehicle and operate foot brake.

- 2. Mechanic: Tightens collar bolt for drive axle only to pre-tightening specification. Refer to => [ Wheel Bearing Housing and Wheel Bearing Unit Assembly Overview ] Removal and Replacement.

- Install wheel and place vehicle on wheels.


When loosening and tightening collar screw, vehicle must stand on wheels.

-risk of accident-

- Tighten collar bolt to additional torque angle (only tighten when vehicle is standing on its wheels -danger of accident-). Refer to => [ Wheel Bearing Housing and Wheel Bearing Unit Assembly Overview ] Removal and Replacement.