Wheel Hub: Service and Repair
Removing and installing front wheel bearing housing (wheel carrier)Tools
Preliminary work
1. Remove axle nuts (wheel-side drive shaft fastening). Operate the brake whilst doing so (2 workers required).
2. Raise the vehicle and remove wheel.
Tools
Removing wheel bearing housing
Note:
^ Remove the two wire retainers on the wheel bearing housing (M6 screw). Disconnect speed sensor plug.
^ Push protection over input shaft.
^ After removing the wheel bearing housing, place the input shaft in such a way that the inner ball joint is not overstretched.
^ Drive shafts must not be left hanging from the joint stop.
-Wheel bearing housing- with wheel hub and brake disc.
1. Remove the brake caliper - and the two brake line holders and pull plug off the speed sensor. Secure the brake caliper at a suitable position in the wheel well (do not open the brake system!).
2. Fix -upper trailing arm- with spring compressor VW 552 (vehicle in illustration with conventional suspension). This involves tensioning axle strut slightly because top ball joint can otherwise get damaged. When doing this, insert tension jack into the top opening of wheel house (double panel) and in the axle strut.
3. Using the universal drive shaft/wheel hub extractor as of model '86 NR.87-1 push (press through) peg of drive shaft by approximately 20 mm - 25 mm into the wheel hub-Universal drive shaft/wheel hub extractor-. Make sure that the input shaft does not become kinked between the spring strut prongs. To do this, fasten a suitable wire in the bores of the spring strut prongs.
4. Loosen the fastening nuts from the -bottom ball joint- and press off with the press-out tool T10187. When doing this, leave fastening nut flush on ball journal, so as not to damage the thread.
5. Remove fastening screw for the lower spring strut -arrow-.
6. Use a suitable -lift with rubber base- (to prevent slipping) to raise the wheel bearing housing to a position at which the screw can be unscrewed easily.
7. Press out the tie rod on the wheel bearing housing using the press-out tool T10187.
8. Press out the ball joint on the control arm using the press-out tool T10187 and secure the wheel bearing housing so that it does not fall down (a second worker is required for this!). Pull the wheel bearing housing out of the lower ball joint and remove it.
Installing wheel bearing housing
ATTENTION
Increased risk of accidents if the wheel carrier is raised improperly!
^ Injuries and material damage are possible.
^ Do not raise the wheel suspension higher than the normal vehicle position (vehicle resting on wheels).
^ When raising the suspension, use a suitable intermediate layer (hard rubber).
^ Do not damage the brake cover plate.
Note:
^ The entire threaded joints of the axle must be tightened in vehicle position. Vehicle position means: vehicle standing on the wheels, or the wheel suspension is raised with a universal vehicle lift.
Dimension -X-, from Control value: 502 mm ± 10 mm corresponds to vehicle position.
^ Carry out a visual inspection of all parts.
^ Replace self-locking nuts.
^ Replace all expansion screws (screws which are fitted with torque angle tightening procedure).
^ Observe correct tightening torques and torque angle.
^ Make sure the bevel pinions from the ball joints are clean. Clean with a lint-free cloth as necessary. Do not use cleaning agent.
Wheel bearing housing- with wheel hub and brake disc.
1. Insert the wheel bearing housing on the lower ball joint and position the input shaft (a second worker is required). Remove the wire between the spring strut prongs. Remove drive shaft protection.
2. Mount the wheel bearing housing on the upper control arm. Fit tie rod.
3. Grease the mounting-face ring of the axle nut with a little Optimoly TA aluminum paste. Screw on the axle nuts. If it is not possible to push the shaft in all the way, use the assembly fixture T10206 to pull the drive shaft in.
4. Attach the two wire retainers and the -speed sensor plug-.
5. Screw the spring strut to the lower axle strut.
6. Fit the brake caliper.
Subsequent work
Mount wheel.