Rear Subframe Mount: Service and Repair
Subframe Bonded Rubber Bushing and Hydraulic Bonded Rubber Bushing
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
• Torque wrench (V.A.G 1332)
• Engine-/transmission jack (V.A.G 1383 A) with universal transmission support (V.A.G 1359/2)
• Hydraulic cylinder (VAS 6178)
• Pneumatic/hydraulic foot pump (VAS 6179)
• Assembly tool (T10205)
• Subframe support assembling device (T10263)
• Subframe support assembling device (T40033)
• Subframe support assembling device (T40185)
• Subframe support assembling device (3346)
• Subframe support assembling device (3301)
• If a bonded rubber bushing is faulty, then the bonded rubber bushing on the opposite side must also be replaced. For the correct allocation, refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog (ETKA).
• Check the other bushings before replacing a faulty bonded rubber bushing.
• If cracks, oil leaks or other damage is visible, this bonded rubber bushing must also be replaced.
• Two different front bonded rubber bushings were installed during production, a conventional bushing and a hydraulic bushing. Refer to => [ Bonded Rubber Bushing ] Service and Repair. Allocation, refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog (ETKA).
- Place the vehicle on a hoist.
- Remove wheels.
- Remove coil springs. Refer to => [ Coil Spring ] Removal and Replacement.
• In order to replace the rubber bonded bushing, the subframe must be lowered either at the front or at the rear. It is not necessary to remove the subframe.
• Lower the subframe alternating between the front and rear. This avoid having to perform an axle alignment.
• Do not lower the subframe more then 4 cm.
• Identify mounting location to subframe before removing the bonded rubber bushing.
Replacing the Front Bonded Rubber Bushing or the Front Hydraulic Bonded Rubber Bushing
Applies to All
- Remove the cover - 1 - and - 2 -..
- Remove the wheel spoiler..
- Place (V.A.G 1383 A) with (V.A.G 1359/2) - 1 - under the subframe.
- Place a wood block - 2 - under the subframe - 1 -.
- Remove the left and right bolt - 1 -.
- Install the removed bolt - 1 - into the body on the opposite of the bonded rubber bushing to be removed as illustrated.
• Install screw - 1 - only until dimension - a - 4 cm is reached.
- Lower the subframe 4 cm only.
- Carefully pry anti-twist mechanism - 1 - off the bonded rubber bushing with a screwdriver near the retaining tab. Do this in several steps alternating from side to side.
Applies to a Hydraulic Bonded Rubber Bushing
- Remove the plastic insert - 1 - upward as illustrated.
Applies to All
- Mark the installation position of the bonded rubber bushing or the hydraulic bonded rubber bushing on the subframe - arrows -.
- If necessary, the support - arrow - with the small interior diameter must be removed from the (VAS 6178) and the Support (T10205/13) for that installed.
- Place the tools on the front bonded rubber bushing as shown in the illustration.
1. Nut (T10263/5)
2. Thrust piece (T40185/5). The opening faces the rubber bonded bushing.
3. Subframe
4. Support Ring (T40185/6). The conical side must face upward and the ribs must fit into the openings in the rubber bonded bushing.
5. Tube (T40033/3)
6. Support ring (T10205/4)
7. (VAS 6178)
8. Nut (T10263/5)
9. Spindle (T10263/4). The spindle pins face downward.
• Secure (VAS 6178) while pressing out.
• Bonded rubber bushing loosens abruptly. There is the risk of injuries by tools and bonded rubber bushing coming off!
Installation Location of Front Bonded Rubber Bushing
The anti-twist mechanism (aluminum) - 1 - is perpendicular to direction of travel. The - arrow - points in driving direction.
• Before installing the front bushing, carefully pry anti-twist mechanism - 1 - off the bushing with a screwdriver near the retaining tabs - arrows -. Do this in several steps alternating from side to side.
- Place the tools on the front bonded rubber bushing as shown in the illustration.
1. Nut (T10263/5)
2. Thrust piece (T40185/4)
3. Subframe
4. Bonded rubber bushing or the hydraulic bonded rubber bushing
5. Thrust piece (T40185/3)
6. Support ring (T10205/4)
7. (VAS 6178)
8. Nut (T10263/5)
9. Spindle (T10263/4). The spindle pins face downward.
- Align the bonded rubber bushing with the markings made previously and push it in until the collar comes in contact with the bushing in the subframe without any gaps. Tension and re-press over cylinder several times if necessary. While pulling in, make sure the bonded rubber bushing does not cant, otherwise outer ring could be damaged.
- The ends of the rubber bead on the bonded rubber bushing must align with the markings - arrows - on the subframe.
• After replacing the bearing, fix any paint damage on the subframe with corrosion protection, primer and black top coat.
- Attach the anti-twist mechanism to the bushing.
Further installation is in the reverse sequence to removal.
Replacing the Rear Hydraulic Bonded Rubber Bushing
- Loosen the nuts on both rear muffler brackets but only as far as to where the thread begins.
- Place (V.A.G 1383 A) with (V.A.G 1359/2) - 1 - under the subframe.
- Place a wood block - 2 - under the subframe - 1 -.
- Remove the rear subframe bolts.
- Install the spindle (3346/2) and (3301) and support arm bearing installation tool (3346/3) approximately 1.5 cm into the body on the opposite side of the bonded rubber bushing to be replaced as illustrated.
1. (3301)
2. (3346/3)
3. (3346/2)
• Turn (3346/3) on the (3346/2) until dimension - a - 4 cm is reached.
- Lower the subframe 4 cm only.
- Carefully pry the anti-twist mechanism - 1 - off the hydraulic bonded rubber bushing with a screwdriver near the retaining tab. Do this in several steps alternating from side to side.
- Remove the plastic insert - 1 - upward as illustrated.
- Mark the installation position of the hydraulic bonded rubber bushing on the subframe - arrows -, e.g. with a felt-tip marker.
- If necessary, the support - arrow - with the small interior diameter must be removed from the (VAS 6178) and the (T10205/13) for that installed.
- Place the tools on the rear hydraulic bonded rubber bushing as shown in the illustration.
1. Nut (T10263/5)
2. Thrust piece (T40185/5). The opening faces the rubber bonded bushing.
3. Subframe
4. Support Ring (T40185/6). The conical side must face upward and the ribs must fit into the openings in the bushing.
5. Tube (T40033/3)
6. Support ring (T10205/4)
7. (VAS 6178)
8. Nut (T10263/5)
9. Spindle (T10263/4). The spindle pins face downward.
• Secure (VAS 6178) while pressing out.
• The hydraulic bonded rubber bushing releases abruptly. There is a risk of the injury from the tools and the hydraulic bonded rubber bushing falling down.
Installation Position Rear Hydraulic Bonded Rubber Bushing
The anti-twist mechanism (aluminum) - 1 - is perpendicular to direction of travel. The - arrow - points in driving direction.
• Before installing the front hydraulic bonded rubber bushing, carefully pry the anti-twist mechanism - 1 - off the bushing with a screwdriver near the retaining tab - arrows -. Do this in several steps alternating from side to side.
- Place the tools on the rear hydraulic bonded rubber bushing as shown in the illustration.
1. Nut (T10263/5)
2. Thrust piece (T40185/4)
3. Subframe
4. Hydraulic bonded rubber bushing
5. Thrust piece (T40185/3)
6. Support ring (T10205/4)
7. (VAS 6178)
8. Nut (T10263/5)
9. Spindle (T10263/4). The spindle pins face downward.
- Align the hydraulic bonded rubber bushing with the markings and push it in until the collar comes in contact with the bushing in the subframe without any gaps. Tension and re-press over cylinder several times if necessary. While pulling in, make sure the hydraulic bonded rubber bushing does not cant, otherwise outer ring could be damaged.
- The ends of the rubber bead on the bonded rubber bushing must align with the markings - arrows - on the subframe.
• After replacing the bearing, fix any paint damage on the subframe with corrosion protection, primer and black top coat.
- Attach the anti-twist mechanism to the hydraulic bonded rubber bushing.
Further installation is in the reverse sequence to removal.