Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Subframe, Stabilizer Bar and Control Arms Assembly Overview






Subframe, Stabilizer Bar and Control Arms Assembly Overview

Welding and straightening work on supporting or wheel carrying components of suspension is not permitted.

Always replace self-locking nuts.

Always replace corroded bolts/nuts.






1 Nut

65 Nm

When tightening, counterhold on hex socket head of joint bolt.

Self-locking

Always replace if removed.

2 Coupling Rod

Linking stabilizer to suspension strut.

3 Console

Locating, refer to => [ Securing Console ] Front Suspension.

If a console is replaced, alignment must be checked. Refer to => [ Wheel Alignment ] Wheel Alignment.

4 Mounting Bracket

Locating, refer to => [ Securing Mounting Bracket ] Front Suspension

With bonded rubber bushing

5 Bolt

50 Nm + 90° turn

Always replace if removed.

6 Bolt

M12 x 1.5 x 90

70 Nm + 90° turn

Always replace if removed.

7 Bolt

M12 x 1.5 x 90

70 Nm + 90° turn

Always replace if removed.

8 Left Front Level Control System Sensor (G78)

Removing and installing, refer to => [ Left Front Level Control System Sensor ] Left Front Level Control System Sensor.

Can be checked in Guided Fault Finding using the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester.

9 Bolt

9 Nm

10 Control Arm

Replace with ball joint if damaged.

Removing and installing, refer to => [ Control Arm with Mounting Bracket ] Control Arm with Mounting Bracket.

Replace bearing, refer to => [ Control Arm Bonded Rubber Bushing ] Service and Repair.

It is possible there are different control arm versions (steel, sheet steel, aluminum).

For the correct allocation, refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog (ETKA).

Do not install control arms made of different versions or made of different materials on the right and left sides.

11 Nut

M12 x 1.5

60 Nm

Self-locking

Always replace if removed.

12 Ball Joint

Checking, refer to => [ Ball Joint, Checking ] Procedures.

Removing and installing, refer to => [ Ball Joint ] Removal and Replacement.

Replace with control arm if damaged.

13 Nut

Cast steel control arm: 60 Nm

Steel and aluminum control arms: 100 Nm

Self-locking

Always replace if removed.

14 Nut

9 Nm

15 Bolt

M12 x 1.5 x 100

70 Nm + 90° turn

Always replace if removed.

16 Bolt

20 Nm + 90° turn

Always replace if removed.

17 Retainer Plate

18 Bolt

M12 x 1.5 x 75

70 Nm + 90° turn

Always replace if removed.

19 Bolt

M14 x 1.5 x 70

100 Nm + 90° turn

Only tighten when pendulum support is bolted to transmission.

Always replace if removed.

20 Bolt

Always pay attention the bolt size and strength class. There are different tightening specifications.

M10 x 75 strength class 8.8: 40 Nm + 90° turn

M10 x 75 strength class 10.9: 50 Nm + 90° turn

From MY 2008, Heli-Coil inserts are installed in the threads for the pendulum support threaded connection in the 02Q manual transmissions.

On these and all other transmissions, use strength class 10.9 bolts.

If, in the 02Q manual transmissions, there is not Heli-Coil insert, then use 8.8 strength class bolts and the appropriate tightening specification.

Always replace if removed.

21 Bolt

Pay attention to the bolt strength class. There are different tightening specifications.

M10 x 35 strength class 8.8: 40 Nm + 90° turn

M10 x 35 strength class 10.9: 50 Nm + 90° turn

From MY 2008, Heli-Coil inserts are installed in the threads for the pendulum support threaded connection in the 02Q manual transmissions.

On these and all other transmissions, use strength class 10.9 bolts.

If, in the 02Q manual transmissions, there is not Heli-Coil insert, then use 8.8 strength class bolts and the appropriate tightening specification.

Always replace if removed.

22 Pendulum Support

Bolt first to transmission, then to subframe.

Various versions.

For the correct allocation, refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog (ETKA).

23 Retainer Plate

24 Lower Bonded Rubber Bushing for Pendulum Support

Ejecting and pressing in, refer to => [ Subframe Bonded Rubber Bushings ] Service and Repair.

Various versions. Refer to => [ Identifying the Pendulum Support Bonded Rubber Bushing ].

For the correct allocation, refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog (ETKA).

25 Shield

26 Bolt

6 Nm

self-tapping

27 Subframe

Removing and installing, without steering gear, refer to => [ Subframe without Steering Gear ] Subframe without Steering Gear.

Removing and installing, with steering gear, refer to => [ Subframe with Steering Gear ] Subframe with Steering Gear.

Various versions.

For the correct allocation, refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog (ETKA).

28 Upper Bonded Rubber Bushing for Pendulum Support

Ejecting and pressing in. Refer to => [ Subframe Bonded Rubber Bushings ] Service and Repair.

Various versions. Refer to => [ Identifying the Pendulum Support Bonded Rubber Bushing ].

For the correct allocation, refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog (ETKA).

29 Bolt

M12 x 1.5 x 110

70 Nm + 90° turn

Always replace if removed.

Tighten only in curb weight position. Refer to => [ Wheel Bearing, Lifting to Curb Weight Position ] Procedures.

30 Nut

65 Nm

When tightening, counterhold on hex socket head of joint bolt.

Self-locking

Always replace if removed.

31 Stabilizer Bar

Various versions

For the correct allocation, refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog (ETKA).

Removing and installing, refer to => [ Stabilizer Bar ] Stabilizer Bar.

Identifying the Pendulum Support Bonded Rubber Bushing





There are two different versions of the pendulum support bonded rubber bushing: the T version - I - and the V version - II -.

For the correct allocation, refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog (ETKA).

I The corners on the inner core - 1 - face toward the opening for the pendulum support - arrow - (T version).
II The corners on the inner core - 2 - face away from the opening for the pendulum support - arrow - (V version).