Axle Shafts, Removing and Installing
Axle shafts, removing and installing
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
^ Press tool 3283
^ Torque wrench V.A.G. 1331
^ Angle wrench V.A.G. 1 756
Removing
The wheel bearings must not be loaded when the 12-point nut/hex bolt is loose.
If the bearings are loaded by the vehicle's own weight the bearing will be damaged. The wheel bearings will be stressed and the life expectancy reduced.
If a vehicle that has an axle shaft removed is to be moved, an outer CV joint must be installed in place of the axle shaft and be tightened to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.) otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged.
The wheel hub/axle shaft on model "Golf GTI 132 kVw" end "R32" is secured with a hex bolt - 1 - instead of a 1 2-point nut. The spline of the outer joint - 2 - is slightly shorter then previous splines and has an internal thread.
The revised assembly sequence and the revised torque settings are contained in the following work sequence.
- Lift vehicle until the load on the front axle is relieved.
- Loosen 1 2-point nut.
- Disconnect axle shaft from transmission axle flange.
Vehicles with 12-point nut
- Mark installation position of bolts from ball joint to control arm.
- Remove bolts - Arrows - .
Vehicles with hex bolt
- Loosen nut from ball joint.
- Install ball joint puller 3287 as shown in illustration and press out ball joint.
Note: To protect ball joint threads and for safety reasons /cave nut on a few turns.
Continued for all vehicles
- Press out axle shaft.
- Vehicles where the axle shaft is secured with a hex bolt, use Thrust piece VW 434 .
Note: When pressing axle shaft out ensure sufficient clearance is available.
- Remove axle shaft.
- The axle shaft must not hang down!
- The inner joint will be damaged through overflexing.
- The following sequence applies to automatic transmission vehicles only
- Remove bolts - arrows - .
- Remove left side of noise insulation if necessary.
- Push engine/transmission assembly forward with a pry bar.
- Now axle shaft can be removed.
- ( - Arrow - points forward)
Installing
For vehicles with 12-point nut or hex bolt
Remove any paint residue and/or corrosion on thread/splines of the outer joint.
Coat with oil before installing axle shaft;
^ The splines of the outer joint,
^ The thread of the outer joint
^ Wheel hub splines,
^ The contact surface and thread of the 12-point nut with oil.
Vehicles with hex bolt
Note: Do not oil threads of hex bolt.
Continued for all vehicles
- Install axle shaft.
- Insert outer joint as far as possible into spline in wheel hub.
- Connect ball joint to control arm using new bolts onto old marks.
- Torque ball joint to control arm: 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.) plus an additional 1/4 turn 90°
- Install inner joint of axle shaft and initially tighten bolts diagonally to 10 Nm (7.4 ft. lbs.).
Tightening torques:
- Bolt pendulum support to sub-frame and tighten to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
- Pull outer joint into the wheel hub until the outer joint is in position.
Vehicles with 12-point nut
- Tighten 12-point nut to 200 Nm (147.5 ft. lbs.) and loosen 1/2 turn.
- Turn wheel hub 180°
- Tighten again with: 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.) plus an additional 60°
Vehicles with hex. bolt
- Tighten hex bolt to 250 Nm (184.4 ft. lbs.) plus an additional 1/4 turn 90° and then loosen 1/2 turn.
- Turn wheel hub 180°
Tighten again to: 250 Nm (184.4 ft. lbs.) plus an additional 1/4 turn 90°
Note: To tighten 12-point nut/hex bolt we recommend the angle measuring wrench V.A.G. 1756.
- If an angle measuring wrench is not available, then tighten 12-point nut using following method.
Vehicles with 12-point nut
- Lower vehicle until the wheels touch ground.
- Tighten 12-point nut to 200 Nm (148 ft. lbs.) and loosen 1/2 turn.
- Tighten 12-point nut to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.).
- Mark one of the 12-points on the nut with a line - arrow A -
- Mark 2nd line - arrows - on the edge of the wheel hub as shown in illustration.
- Turn 12-point nut until both points - A - and - B - align.