Rear Cross-Member Bushing: Service and Repair
Subframe bushings, replacing
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
^ Engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A with universal transmission support V.A.G 1359/2
^ Torque wrench V.A.G 1331
^ Torque wrench V.A.G 1332
^ Foot pump with high-pressure hose V.A.G 1389 A/1
If there is a hand pump V.A.G 1389/1 available, it can be converted to a foot-operated pump.
Use conversion set V.A.G 1389/4.
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
^ Wheel bearing tool V.A.G 1459.
^ Hollow piston cylinder HKZ-15 with thrust piece (hydraulic) E-0-204-T
^ Tie bolt E-0-217+218
^ Special nut E-8-214
^ Thrust piece E-5
^ Thrust piece T40033/1
^ Support ring T40033/2
^ Tube T40033/3
^ Support T40033/4
^ Thrust piece T40033/5
^ Support T40033/6
^ Spindle T40034
^ Nut T40034/1
^ Nut T40034/2
Note:
^ The same special tools and workshop equipment can be used for replacing the subframe bushings on vehicles with front wheel drive and vehicles with all wheel drive.
^ The subframe bushings are hydro-bushings, not conventional bonded rubber bushings
^ The bushings can only be removed and installed with the subframe lowered.
^ Mark position of bushings in relation to subframe before removing.
Removing front/rear hydro-bushings
- Remove wheels.
- Remove left and right coil springs.
- Only if front hydro-bushing is being replaced: remove rear left/right floor pan panels
1 - Left-side floor pan panel
- If installed, remove diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 -.
Only for rear hydro-bushings
- Remove stabilizer bar.
Front and rear hydro-bushings, continued
- Position engine/transmission jack VAG 1383 A with universal transmission support VAG 1359/2 and a suitable wooden block at subframe/final drive (illustration shows vehicle with front wheel drive).
- Tighten belt around subframe/final drive.
Note:
^ If a front hydro-bushing is being replaced, only loosen the front subframe bolts.
^ If a rear hydro-bushing is being replaced, only loosen the rear subframe bolts.
^ If a further subframe bolt is loosened (front or rear), a wheel alignment must be performed following installation.
- Loosen front or rear subframe bolts.
- Carefully lower subframe approx 5 cm.
- Only remove those subframe bolts where the hydro-bushing is to be replaced.
- Using felt pen or similar, mark Position of hydro-bushing - 1 - in relation to subframe - 2 - (illustration shows subframe of a front wheel drive vehicle).
- Arrow A - : direction of travel
- Arrows B and C -: markings
- Apply special tools as shown in illustration.
1 - Nut T40034/1 or T40034/2
2 - Thrust piece T40033/1
3 - Support ring T40033/2
4 - Tube T40033/3
5 - Support T40033/4
6 - Hollow piston cylinder HKZ-15
7 - Thrust piece E-5
8 - Special nut E-8-214
9 - Assembly tool T40034
10 - Subframe
- Pretension special tools.
- Remove hydro-bushing by operating pump.
Note:
^ When pulling out the hydro-bushing using wheel bearing tool V.A.G. 1459 B, the tool must be repositioned for removal.
Installing front/rear hydro-bushings
Front and rear hydro-bushings are different. Make sure correct parts are used when installing.
The hydro-bushing must be installed facing in the correct direction, note the marks on the subframe for this purpose.
- Set up special tools with hydro-bushing on subframe as illustrated
Ensure correct position when attaching support T40033/6.
1 - Nut T40034/1 or T40034/2
2 - Support T40033/6
3 - Hydro-bushing
4 - Thrust piece T40033/5
5 - Hollow piston cylinder HKZ-15
6 - Thrust piece E-5
7 - Special nut E-8-214
8 - Assembly tool T40034
9 - Subframe
- Pretension special tools with hydro-bushing.
- Coat complete surface of hydro-bushing using assembly lubricating oil G 294 421 A1 diluted 1:100 with water.
Make sure that the ends of the rubber beads of the hydro-bushing - 1 - line up with the markings arrows B and C - on subframe -.
- Arrow A - direction of travel
- Press in hydro-bushing as far as stop by operating pump.
Note:
^ When pulling in the hydro-bushing using wheel bearing tool V.A.G. 1459 B, the tool must be repositioned during installation.
^ Make sure that the hydro-bushing remains straight during the first stage of installation, otherwise the outer ring may be damaged.
- Lift subframe using engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A.
- Install and tighten new subframe bolts with new washers and (front wheel drive), or and (all wheel drive).
Rear hydro-bushings only
- Install stabilizer bar.
Front and rear hydro-bushings continued
- If installed, install diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 -.
- Install left and right floor pan panels
- Install left and right coil springs.
- Install wheel and fasten.
- Perform wheel alignment if more than 2 hydro-bushings bolts have been loosened.
Wheel alignment must be performed on wheel alignment equipment recommended by Audi.