401719 Removing and installing lower trailing arm
WM 401719 Removing and installing lower trailing arm
Tools
Preliminary work
Remove transverse control arm cover. -> 852219 Removing and installing plenum panel cover 852219 Removing and installing plenum panel cover
Raise the vehicle. -> 4X00IN Lifting the vehicle Service and Repair
Remove the wheel. -> 440519 Removing and installing wheel Removal and Replacement
Tools
Ball joint puller T40010 - For pressing out the ball joint on the wheel carrier at the bottom.
Spring tensioner VW 552 - For slightly tensioning the trailing arm.
Removing lower trailing arm
WARNING
Wheel bearing housing raised incorrectly
- Risk of squashing
- Risk of damage to components
-> Wear personal protective gear.
-> Do not raise the wheel suspension higher than the normal vehicle position (vehicle resting on wheels).
Lower trailing arm component
1. Secure upper trailing arm using the spring tensioner VW 552. This involves tensioning the trailing arm slightly because otherwise the top ball joint can become damaged.
1.1. Spring tensioner VW 552 -arrow- must be secured at the top.
Securing spring tensioner on front axle, top
1.2. Spring tensioner VW 552 -arrow- must be secured at the bottom.
Securing spring tensioner on front axle, bottom
2. On all-wheel-drive vehicles, use a protective tube (shop-made) for the drive shafts.
3. Then, remove the fastening screw for the lower spring strut -arrow-. To do this, use a suitable lift -lift with rubber base- (to prevent slipping) to lift the wheel carrier so that the screw can be unscrewed easily (Secure the spring tensioner VW 552 to prevent it from falling down!).
Lifting wheel carrier (air suspension)
4. Remove the lock nut from the bottom ball joint => Loosening lower trailing arm. When doing this, leave the lock nut flush on the ball pin so as not to damage the thread.
Loosening lower trailing arm
4.1. Carefully press off the joint using the ball joint puller T40010.
5. Mark the eccentric screws for adjusting camber and caster on the chassis subframe (facilitates fitting during reinstallation).
6. Then remove the eccentric screws. Make sure not to damage the steering boot while doing this. Press the trailing arm out of the chassis subframe mounting points.
7. Remove the lock nuts from the lower trailing arm and tilt the trailing arm down fully. Carefully remove the ball joint from the wheel carrier.
8. If you do not intend to use the trailing arm again, the air guide must be refitted => Air guide on lower trailing arm, without spring-strut mount.
Air guide on lower trailing arm, without spring-strut mount
Installing lower trailing arm
Information
- All the threaded joints on the axle must be tightened in vehicle position. Vehicle position means: vehicle standing on its wheels, or the wheel suspension is raised using a universal vehicle lift. Dimension -X- , from lower edge of wing to middle of axle corresponds to vehicle position. For details of current height values, see -> 4495TW Adjustment values for suspension alignment 4495TW Adjustment values for suspension alignment. Always observe the following points!
Dimension X - centre of wheel to lower edge of wing (rear axle shown)
Steel springs
- The vehicle position is reached at the front axle by placing the vehicle onto the wheels in a suitable work area (wheel alignment platform, workshop pit).
Air suspension
- The vehicle position is reached at the front axle (with air suspension) by bleeding the respective air spring using the Porsche System Tester and carefully lifting the respective wheel bearing housing. -> 4301IN Bleeding and filling the levelling system 4301IN Bleeding and filling the levelling system
- Use an intermediate layer (hard rubber)! Do not damage the brake cover plate.
Raising wheel carrier (air suspension)
- Screws and nuts are Geomet-coated and must not be greased.
- Grease the toothing of the drive shaft slightly with aluminium paste Optimoly TA.
- Drive shafts must not be left hanging from the joint stop! Tie up.
- Use new screws and lock nuts.
- Use correct tightening torques and torque angles. -> 4X00IN00 Tightening torques for front axle
WARNING
Wheel bearing housing raised incorrectly
- Risk of squashing
- Risk of damage to components
-> Wear personal protective gear.
-> Do not raise the wheel suspension higher than the normal vehicle position (vehicle resting on wheels).
1. Installation is carried out in reverse order.
2. Spring tensioner VW 552 must be removed.
Subsequent work
Fit transverse control arm cover. -> 852219 Removing and installing plenum panel cover 852219 Removing and installing plenum panel cover
Fit the wheel. -> 440519 Removing and installing wheel Removal and Replacement
Perform suspension alignment. => Suspension alignment, complete