Axle Beam, Removing and Installing

Axle beam, removing and installing
Removing
^ Remove wheels.
^ Unplug connection behind catalytic converter and remove rear portion of exhaust system.

Note:





^ It is absolutely necessary to hang the driveshaft with a tie wire or something similar, otherwise the Constant Velocity (CV) joint will be damaged.
Always mark installation position of driveshaft before removing. Imbalance will be too large if installed in offset position.





^ Determine distance between axle body and inside of door sill.





^ Disconnect parking brake cables from brake calipers.





^ Remove bolt -A- on both sides.
^ Disconnect parking brake cable -B- from bracket -C-.





^ Push catching tabs -A- together and push parking brake cable -2- out of control arm -1-.

Note: Do not pull on parking brake cable, or adjustment of parking brake will change!





^ Counter-hold guide pins and remove attachment bolts from brake caliper housing.





^ Unscrew cable -2- for wheel speed sensor.
1. Attachment bolts
^ Unclip wire for wheel speed sensor from axle beam.
3. Attachment point on axle beam
^ Remove ABS wheel speed sensor from wheel bearing housing.
^ Observe removing and installing procedures for vehicles with headlight vertical aim control





^ Unscrew control arm from shock absorber
1. Control arm
2. Parking brake cable
3. Bolt for shock absorber
A. Holding clip for parking brake cable





^ Place engine and transmission jack, for example VAG1 383 A, under rear final drive.
^ Remove bolts for axle beam.
^ Slowly lower rear axle with engine and transmission jack, e.g. VAG 1383 A.

Installing
Installation is the reverse of removal.
Thread in body can be repaired with thread insert made of wire according to DIN 8140 (Helicoil). Thread insert must have same length as thread in body.

Note: After axle is installed, it must be adjusted as described!

^ Bonded rubber bushings can only be turned to a limited extent. The bolted connections should therefore only be tightened when the vehicle is standing on the ground.
Otherwise, rubber bushing will be stressed and have a shortened service life.

Tightening torques:
Axle beam to body 110 Nm + 90°

Always use new bolts.
Shock absorber to control arm 70 Nm + 90°

Always use new bolts.
Brake caliper to bracket 30 Nm

Always use new bolts.
Driveshaft to rear final drive 55 Nm

Always use new bolts.
Retap thread in flange of rear final drive with tap.

Note: After installation is complete, check setting of parking brake! This might need adjustment