Trailing Arm: Service and Repair

Removing/Disassembling






1. Take off rear wheel. Unscrew self-locking nut on drive shaft.
2. Disconnect parking brake cable on parking brake lever.
3. Unscrew vibration damper on trailing arm. Lift trailing arm slightly with a suitable jack to avoid tension on the mounting bolt.
4. Unscrew axle shaft bolts on transmission and move out the complete drive shaft (axle shaft + wheel shaft).

Note: Push up the transmission end of the shaft in direction of the intermediate shift lever on the transmission when moving out the left drive shaft, due to the lack of space (exhaust assembly).






5. Remove brake hose on trailing arm, by removing the spring lock and unscrewing the brake pipe. Plug brake hose or hold down brake pedal slightly with a pedal prop.
Take wires for brake pad wear indicator out of holder.






6. Take plug for brake pad wear indicator out of holder and disconnect.
7. Unscrew brake caliper and remove brake disc.






8. Drive out rear wheel hub with Special Tool P 297a.
9. Remove parking brake shoes and spreader arm. Pull parking brake cable out of trailing arm.
10. Remove trailing arm after unscrewing on spring strut and rear axle cross tube.

Note: Mark position of trailing arm to spring strut for installation later (toe, camber).






11. Take off brake guard and remove circlip for angular ball bearing.






12. Heat trailing arm to 120-150°C. Press out angular ball bearing with Special Tool VW 432 and a suitable base.






13. If applicable, remove rubber mounts. Drive out inside rubber mount slightly with a flat chisel applied alternately and finally pry out with two tire irons. Drive out inside rubber mount with a suitable pressure piece.






14. If applicable, press bearing inner race off of wheel hub with an extractor and Special Tool P 297a.

Assembling/Installing











1. Set up and align trailing arm under a press on VW 459 and suitable bases for installation of the wheel bearing. Remove trailing arm again and heat to 120-150°C. Insert angular ball bearing and press in slightly on the aligned bases.






2. If applicable, press in new inside and outside rubber mounts against stop.






3. Press in wheel hub after installation of the circlip.
4. Install trailing arm. Tighten bolts and nuts to correct tightening torque. Mount spreader arm and parking brake shoes (see Parking Brake).

Note: Insert drive shaft before mounting the vibration damper on the trailing arm on the left side.


5. Adjust parking brake. Bleed brakes. Check wheel alignment.