Front Subframe: Service and Repair

Subframe

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Engine support bridge (10-222 A)

• Torque wrench (V.A.G 1331)

• Torque wrench (V.A.G 1332)

• Engine/transmission jack (V.A.G 1383 A)

• Vehicle Diagnostic, Testing and Information System (VAS 5051 B) with corresponding diagnostic cable.

• Tensioning strap (T10038)

• Wheel hub support (T10149)

• Engine Support Basic Set (T40091)

• Engine Support Supplement Set (T40092)

• Engine Support Supplement Set (T40093)

Removing

Affects Vehicles with Air Suspension

- Place the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to => [ Positioning Vehicle on Hoist and Wheels ] Positioning Vehicle on Hoist and Wheels.

- Perform system vent using (VAS 5051 A). Refer to => [ System, Venting or Filling ] System, Venting or Filling.

Affects All Vehicles

- Remove noise insulation.

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

- Remove wheels.

Relevant for Vehicles with Auxiliary Heater






- Remove muffler - 1 - for auxiliary heater with exhaust pipe - 2 -.

Affects All Vehicles

- Remove the right and left coupling rod. Refer to => [ Coupling Rod ] Coupling Rod.

- Remove the stabilizer bar. Refer to => [ Stabilizer Bar ] Stabilizer Bar.

- Support the engine entirely using the (10-222 A).

- Assemble (10-222 A) using (T40091) , (T40092) and (T40093) on suspension strut domes and longitudinal members, as shown in illustration.






- Remove the left and right nuts - 1 -.






- In vehicles with level control system sensor, unscrew nut - 2 - on both sides.






- Disconnect connector from level control system sensor on left and right sides.

- Remove the left and right hex bolt - 1 -.






- Secure both wheel bearing housings with (T10038) as illustrated.






• To prevent the joints on the upper control arm from being damaged, support the wheel bearing housing.

- Disconnect threaded connection from both guide control arms - 1 - and track control arms - 2 - on subframe side. Tie up guide control arm and track control arm using wire - arrows -.






• In order not to overbend the joints of track control arm and guide control arm, they must be fastened to the body with a tie wire or something like it.

- Place (V.A.G 1383 A) with wooden block under subframe and press lightly against.

- Remove hex bolts - 5 - and - 6 -.






- Remove the bolts - 7 - through - 12 - and lower the rear subframe.

- Loosen the bolts - 1 - through - 4 - just enough until it is possible to move the subframe.

Installing

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

When assembling the subframe and the engine mount bracket, pay attention to correct fit.

- The center of the subframe mount holes must be aligned to the bolting points on the body.

• Bonded rubber bushings can only be turned to a limited extent. Only tighten suspension screws when vehicle is in curb weight or control position.

• Wheel bearing, lifting to curb weight position on vehicles with coil springs, refer to => [ Wheel Bearing, with Coil Spring, Lifting to Curb Weight Position ] Wheel Bearing, with Coil Spring, Lifting to Curb Weight Position.

• Wheel bearing, lifting to control position on vehicles with air suspension, refer to => [ Wheel Bearing, with Air Suspension, Lifting to Curb Weight Position ] Wheel Bearing, with Air Suspension, Lifting to Curb Weight Position.

Tightening specifications, refer to => [ Subframe, Engine Mount Bracket, Stabilizer Bar, Crossmember and Coupling Rod Assembly Overview ] Subframe, Engine Mount Bracket, Stabilizer Bar, Crossmember and Coupling Rod Assembly Overview.

- Install the wheels.

- On vehicles with air suspension, position vehicle on wheels. Refer to => [ Positioning Vehicle on Hoist and Wheels ] Positioning Vehicle on Hoist and Wheels.

- Tighten wheels.

- Adapt control position anew on vehicles with air spring suspension. Refer to => [ Self-Leveling Suspension Control Position, Programming ] Self-Leveling Suspension Control Position, Programming.

- On vehicles with automatic headlamp range control system, perform a basic setting on the headlamps.

- Perform an axle alignment. Refer to => [ Wheel Alignment ] Wheel Alignment.

• The axle alignment on the front and rear axles must be performed on a VW/Audi approved alignment rack.