Trapezoidal Control Arm

Trapezoidal Control Arm

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1331)

• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1332)

Removing

- Remove underbody trim in front of trapezoidal control arm.

Convertible only

- Remove diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 -. Refer to => [ Front or Rear Diagonal Braces ] Rear Suspension.





Continuation for all vehicles

- Remove coil spring. Refer to => [ Coil Spring ] Service and Repair.

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 bolt - 1 - on vehicles with headlamp range control.





- Remove speed sensor cable guide - 2 - => [ Speed sensor wire routing on trapezoidal control
arm ] FWD





- Remove bolt - 1 -. Counterhold joint with open-end wrench.

- Mark eccentric bolt - 5 - to subframe.

- Loosen trapezoidal control arm items - 3 to 6 -.

• On vehicle with all wheel drive and with right trapezoidal control arm on vehicles with front wheel drive, subframe should be lowered slightly before removing bolts.

All Wheel Drive

- Remove the driveshaft from rear final drive.

- Secure driveshaft to body with wire.

- Remove shock absorber from wheel bearing housing.

- Disengage parking brake cable at fuel tank.

- Remove brake caliper.

- Remove right drive axle cover (remove right trapezoidal control arm).

- Lower subframe slightly. Refer to => [ Subframe ] Service and Repair.

Vehicles with front wheel drive, removing left trapezoidal control arm

- Remove heat shield from body eccentric bolt and press to side.

Vehicles with front wheel drive, removing right trapezoidal control arm

- Remove shock absorber from wheel bearing housing.

- Remove brake caliper.

- Lower subframe slightly. Refer to => [ Subframe ] Service and Repair.

Continuation for all vehicles

- Remove trapezoidal control arm items - 3 to 6 -.





• When doing so, ensure subframe is held securely.

Installing

Replace bolts and self-locking nuts. Notes in exploded view diagrams. Refer to => [ Subframe ] FWD.

- Install subframe. Refer to => [ Subframe ] Service and Repair.

- Install shock absorber. Refer to => [ Shock Absorber ] Rear Suspension.

- Install brake caliper.

- Install driveshaft to rear final drive.

- Install the drive axle shield.

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 threaded connections - 3 -, - 4 - and - 6 -. Refer to => [ Trapezoidal Control Arm, Transverse Link and Tie Rod Assembly Overview ] Trapezoidal Control Arm, Transverse Link and Tie Rod Assembly Overview.





- Tighten nut - 5 - (bring eccentric bolt into previous position).

- Install speed sensor cable guide - 2 - => [ Speed sensor wire routing on trapezoidal control arm ] FWD

- Tighten bolt - 1 -.

- Install coil spring. Refer to => [ Coil Spring ] Service and Repair.

- Engage parking brake cable in bracket.

- Tighten bolt - 1 - on vehicles with headlamp range control.





- 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.





Continuation for all vehicles

- Install underbody trim.