Rear Subframe: Service and Repair
Subframe
• The procedure steps show you how you can remove the subframe as a complete unit (that is, with rear axle transmission, stub axle carrier/wheel bearing housing, trapezoidal control arm...).
• Measure vehicle after repair. Refer to => [ Wheel Alignment ] Wheel Alignment.
- Loosen collar bolt - arrow - only 90° on vehicle resting on wheels if you want to remove components that require removal of collar bolt.
CAUTION!
When loosening and tightening collar bolt, vehicle must stand on wheels. Risk of accident.
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
• Engine/Transmission Jack (V.A.G 1383 A)
• Spring Compressor (V.A.G 1752/1)
• Adapter (V.A.G 1752/9)
• Spring Holder A4, Rear Axle (V.A.G 1752/16)
• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1331)
• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1332)
• Ring Spanner Insert AF 21 (T40027)
Removing
CAUTION!
Before LOOSENING subframe bolts, secure vehicle against tipping over (e.g. load luggage compartment with approximately 50 kg).
Convertible only
- Remove diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 -. Refer to => [ Front or Rear Diagonal Braces ] Rear Suspension.
Continuation for all vehicles
- Remove rear and side underbody trim in front of subframe.
- Dismount tires.
- Secure brake discs with a wheel bolt.
- Remove rear portion of the exhaust system.
- Remove coil spring. Refer to => [ Coil Spring ] Service and Repair.
- Remove shock absorber from wheel bearing housing - 1 -.
Vehicles with heavy duty suspension
- Remove stone impact protection from trapezoidal control arm.
Continuation for all vehicles
- Disengage parking brake cable from bracket under trapezoidal control arm. Loosen bolts to do this.
- Remove brake caliper - arrows -. To do so, use Socket Insert (T40027).
• Secure brake caliper to body with wire.
• Do not allow brake caliper to hang from brake line.
- Remove speed sensor and cable guide => [ Speed sensor wire routing on trapezoidal control
arm ] FWD
- On vehicles with headlamp range control, remove connector from level control system sensor.
All Wheel Drive
- Remove the driveshaft from rear final drive.
- Secure driveshaft to body with wire.
- Disengage parking brake cable at fuel tank.
- Remove bolts - 2 - and remove shock absorber.
- Remove brake disc and brake disc cover.
Continuation for all vehicles
- Position Engine/Transmission Jack (V.A.G 1383 A) with Universal Transmission Support (V.A.G 1359/2 ) and a corresponding wooden block at subframe or final drive (Fig. for vehicles with front wheel drive).
- Tighten band around subframe or final drive.
CAUTION!
Before LOOSENING subframe bolts, secure vehicle against tipping over (e.g. load luggage compartment with approximately 50 kg).
- Remove subframe bolts - arrows -.
With FWD
- Lay parking brake cable with brake caliper over transverse link.
- Carefully lower subframe. Guide subframe so it does not shift.
All Wheel Drive
- Carefully lower subframe approximately 15 cm. Guide subframe so it does not shift.
- Slide subframe left so that right parking brake cable with brake caliper can be laid over transverse link.
• Make sure that brake hose is not stretched.
- Slide subframe right so that left parking brake cable with brake caliper can be laid over transverse link.
- Lower subframe.
Installing
• Replace bolts and self-locking nuts. Notes in exploded view diagrams. Refer to => [ Subframe ] FWD.
Insertion of subframe occurs in reverse order of removal.
- Center subframe over four bearing holes to body.
- Install new subframe bolts and washers and tighten.
All Wheel Drive
- Install brake disc cover.
- Install brake disc and secure with wheel bolt.
- Install driveshaft to rear final drive.
- Install shock absorber on body.
- Engage parking brake cable at fuel tank.
Continuation for all vehicles
- Install and align exhaust system.
- Place headlamp range control connector on level control system sensor.
- Install speed sensor and cable guide => [ Speed sensor wire routing on trapezoidal control
arm ] FWD
- Secure brake caliper to stub axle carrier or wheel bearing housing.
- Install parking brake cable with bracket below trapezoidal control arm and tighten bolts.
- First tighten shock absorber nut - 1 - to 20 Nm.
- Install coil spring. Refer to => [ Coil Spring ] Service and Repair.
Only when you have loosened collar bolt:
Always use a new collar bolt!
- On vehicles with all wheel drive, install 5 wheel bolts hand tight and apply parking brake.
- Tighten collar bolt to specified torque without additional turning.
- Bonded rubber bushings have a limited torsional range. Only tighten threaded connections at control arms if vehicle is in curb weight position. Refer to => [ Wheel Bearing, Lifting to Curb Weight Position ] Rear Suspension
- Tighten connection - 1 -
- Mount wheel and tighten.
Only when you have loosened collar bolt:
- Tighten collar bolt with specified additional turning.
CAUTION!
When loosening and tightening collar bolt, vehicle must stand on wheels. Risk of accident.
- Install rear and side underbody trim.
- Perform vehicle alignment. Refer to => [ Wheel Alignment ] Wheel Alignment.
Alignment must take place on a VW/Audi recommended alignment stand.
Vehicles with heavy duty suspension
- Install stone impact protection and tighten bolts
Convertible only
- Install diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 -. Refer to => [ Front or Rear Diagonal Braces ] Rear Suspension.