Rear Axle, Removing and Installing (FWD)

Rear axle, removing and installing

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

Removal tool 80 - 200:

Engine/transmission jack VAG 1383 A:

Removing

^ Remove bolts with vehicle standing on its wheels (raise vehicle until the bolt is accessible).
^ Raise vehicle to assembly height to relieve the pressure on coil spring.
^ Pull rear axle down and remove coil spring with the help of a second mechanic if necessary.
^ Remove wheels.

^ Remove cover - arrows -.

^ Remove retainer - arrows - for parking brake cable.

^ Disconnect ABS vehicle speed sensor.
^ Unclip vehicle speed sensor wiring from retainer.
^ Unclip brake line.
^ Remove brake caliper and hang up on body.

^ Remove retainer - arrow - for brake line.

^ Loosen left mounting bracket bolts - arrows -.
^ Support rear axle using, e.g. VAG 1383 A.
^ Mark installation position of mounting bracket on longitudinal member, e.g. with color or felt tip.

^ Remove rear axle mounting bracket bolts - arrows - on both sides and take out rear axle.

Installing
Make sure that the contact surface is clean before installing rear axle.
^ Install rear axle to vehicle.

Make sure that the rubber mounting centralizer - arrow A - seats in the hole of the axle beam - arrow B -.
^ Insert bolt for mounting bracket and rear axle and tighten nut only until mounting bracket and rear axle are in position.

^ Tighten mounting bracket bolts - arrows - and.
^ Loosen bolt for bearing bracket and rear axle until the nut and bolt can be turned by hand.

CAUTION: The connection at mounting bracket on rear axle must be tightened only when the vehicle is standing on its wheels!

Otherwise the rubber mounting will be stressed, resulting in a reduced service life.

Further installation is in reverse sequence to removal.
^ Install and tighten wheels.

After installing check position of steering wheel during a test drive.

If steering wheel is not in straight ahead position the front axle alignment must be checked!