Removal and Replacement
Subframe
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
• Tensioner hooks (VW 552)
• Torque wrench (V.A.G 1331)
• Torque wrench (V.A.G 1332)
• Engine/transmission jack (V.A.G 1383 A)
• Socket, nominal size 14 mm (T10099/1)
• Spindle (10 - 222 A /11) (qty. 2)
• Hose clamp (3094)
• Scissor lift table (VAS 6131)
• Left support (VAS 6131/6-1)
• Right support (VAS 6131/6-2)
• Left axle support (VAS 6131/6-3)
• Right axle support (VAS 6131/6-4)
• Support (2x) (VAS 6131/6-5)
• Ball joint puller (T10187)
• Vehicle diagnostic, test and information system (VAS 5051)
Brief Description
Subframe is removed using scissor lift table. Front mounting points of engine carrier must be secured using shorter bolts. Subframe is removed together with the following: Steering gear, front axle drive, lower control arm and wheel bearing housing. Air spring shock absorbers/suspension struts with mounting brackets and upper control arms remain on vehicle.
Removing
Before starting work, stabilizer bars must be coupled in vehicles with decouplable stabilizer bars. Otherwise, there is the danger of injury caused by unintentional coupling.
- Depressurize hydraulic system for decouplable stabilizer bars using (VAS 5051).
- Loosen wheel bolts.
- Raise vehicle.
- Remove the front wheels.
- Hook in (VW 552) on both vehicle sides in upper opening of wheel housing - arrow A - and in upper control arm - arrow B -.
- Lightly pretension control arm to prevent damage to ball stud caused by ball joint.
- Press out upper control arm.
- Disconnect brake hoses from brake lines in wheel housing.
- Disconnect all electrical wires from body to axle.
- Remove noise insulation below engine/transmission. Refer to
- Remove bracket for hydraulic lines - 1 -.
- Remove pressure line and return line - 2 - from steering gear.
- Remove driveshaft from front rear final drive - arrows A - and tie up.
- If present, remove shielding plate - A - from steering gear (2 bolts).
- Remove bolt - B - for universal joint at steering gear and remove universal joint from steering gear.
Vehicles with Separable Stabilizer Bars
- Disconnect both hydraulic lines - 1 - and electrical connection - 2 -.
Lines and wires must not be mixed up when connecting!
- Check whether color marking is present on front in driving direction. If no longer present, apply a new one.
- When loosening hydraulic lines, counterhold using open-end wrench.
Continued for All Vehicles
- Hook (10-222 A/11) in eyelets - arrow - of engine carrier on left and right vehicle sides.
- Place one wood block - A - of approximately 300 mm in length in each bracket of (10-222 A/11).
Brackets must point backward, while doing this.
- Tighten wing nuts of (10-222 A/11), wood blocks must be supported at subframe - B -.
- Install insert of floor jack in (V.A.G 1383 A).
- Place (V.A.G 1383 A) under engine carrier and press lightly against.
A Wood block
- Subframe, locating, refer to => [ Subframe, Securing ] Description and Operation.
- Remove bolts - 1 - for subframe.
- Remove coupling rods on left and right - 1 - from stabilizer bar.
- Lower subframe approximately 50 mm using (10-222 A/11).
- Install two bolts M14 x 1.5 x 90, for example bolts (N 104 281 01) to secure engine carrier to body on left and right - 3 -.
- Remove (V.A.G 1383 A) from below engine carrier.
- Install support onto scissor lift table as shown in illustration.
1. (VAS 6131/6-1)
2. (VAS 6131/6-2)
3. (VAS 6131/6-3)
4. (VAS 6131/6-4)
5. (VAS 6131/6-5)
- Support subframe using scissor lift table.
1. (VAS 6131/6-3)
2. (VAS 6131/6-1)
3. (VAS 6131/6-5)
- Remove (10-222 A/11) from subframe.
- Carefully disconnect ventilation line - A - from front final drive.
- Now, slowly let down subframe while constantly observing for freedom of movement.
Installing
Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following:
Always replace bolts for driveshaft.
- Install subframe using new bolts - arrows -.
- Remove (10-222 A/11) from subframe.
- Install universal joint on steering gear and tighten bolt - B - to tightening specification.
- If present, install shielding plate - A - on steering gear. Refer to => [ Power Steering Assembly Overview ] Power Steering Assembly Overview.
- Install front wheels. Refer to => [ Tires, Mounting ] Tires, Mounting.
Vehicles with Separable Stabilizer Bars
- Bleed separable stabilizer bar. Refer to => [ Separable Stabilizer Bar, Bleeding ] Separable Stabilizer Bar, Bleeding.
Continued for All Vehicles
- Bleed brake system.
- Perform a test drive after the installation. If the steering wheel is crooked, perform a vehicle alignment. Refer to => [ Wheel Alignment ] Wheel Alignment.
Tightening Specifications
