Rear Suspension

Drive Axle Outer Joint Twelve Point Nut, Loosening and Tightening

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1601)

12-Point Outer Driveshaft Joint Nut, Removing

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

When loosening and tightening 12-point nut, vehicle must stand on wheels.

-Risk of accident-

- Loosen 12-point outer drive axle joint nut a maximum of 90° (only loosen with vehicle resting on wheels -accident risk-).

Affects Vehicles with Air Suspension

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

Affect Vehicles with Coil Springs

- Raise vehicle and remove wheel.

Affects All Vehicles

- Tighten all five wheel bolts by hand.

A second technician is needed for the next step:

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

- 2. Technician: Remove 12-point drive axle nut.

If 12-point nut is loose or removed, wheel bearing should not be loaded.

If the bearings are loaded by the vehicle 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 150 Nm, or else wheel bearing will be damaged.

Tightening

- Replace 12-point nut.

A 2nd technician is needed to tighten the 12-point drive axle nut:

- 1. Technician: Sit in vehicle and operate brake pedal.

- 2. Technician: Tighten the 12-point drive axle nut to 150 Nm.

- Mount wheel and tighten.

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

When loosening and tightening 12-point nut, vehicle must stand on wheels.

-Risk of accident-

- Tighten 12-point nut to final torque (only tighten with vehicle resting on wheels -risk of accident-). Refer to => [ Drive Axle Overview, with Bolted Inner Joint ] Description and Operation.