Section A - Check Control Arm

^ Drive vehicle into hoist area; remove wheel cover and loosen 12-point nut securing axle

^ Raise vehicle and remove front wheels

^ If vehicle is a TDI, remove sound dampening pan located below engine





<= If vehicle has an automatic transmission remove bolts -arrows- for pendulum mount

Note:
Checking of the control arm seam welds can be done on both left and right sides at the same time.





<= Remove torx screw -A-securing splash shield

<= Remove bolt -1 - which secures control arm & remove bolt -3- which secures stabilizer bar coupler

Note:
On vehicles with automatic transmission, use pry bar to move engine/transmission forward to remove bolt -1-

^ Remove nut securing axle to wheel bearing housing





<= Using tool 3283 press axle out of wheel bearing housing





<= Pull control arm outward in direction of arrow until round end -1- is visible

<= Using a damp cloth, clean dirt and debris off the control arm

IMPORTANT:
Use a new in-stock control arm to see an example of correct seam welds prior to checking control.





= Check for missing 900 seam welds (each weld length is about 50 to 55 mm) -3A- on top and -3B- on bottom of round end of control arm

^ In addition, check all control arm seams for proper welds

^ If all seam welds are present and in good condition in the left and right control arms go to Section C

^ If any seam weld is not present or is partially missing in one or both control arms proceed to Section B