Rear Cross-Member: Service and Repair
Subframe, removing and installing
Note:
^ The procedure steps show you how you can remove the subframe as a complete unit (that is, with rear final drive, stub axle carrier/wheel bearing housing, trapezoidal control arm).
^ Align vehicle after repair.
- Loosen collar bolt - arrow - only 90 degrees on vehicle resting on wheels if you want to remove components that require removal of collar bolt.
CAUTION!
When loosening and tightening collar bolt, vehicle must stand on wheels.
- Risk of accident-
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
^ Engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A
^ Spring compressor V.A.G 1752/1
^ Adapter V.A.G 1752/9
^ Spring holder A4, rear axle V.A.G 1752/16
^ Torque wrench V.A.G 1331
^ Torque wrench V.A.G 1332
^ Bit XZN 18 T40027
Removing
CAUTION!
Before - LOOSENING - subframe bolts, secure vehicle against tipping over (e.g. load luggage compartment with approx. 50 kg).
Convertible only
- Remove diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 -.
Continued for all vehicles
- Remove rear and side underbody trim in front of subframe.
- Dismount tires.
- Secure brake discs with a wheel bolt.
- Remove rear portion of exhaust system.
- Remove coil spring.
- Remove strut from wheel bearing housing - 1 -.
Vehicles with heavy duty suspension
- Remove stone protection from trapezoidal control arm.
Continued for all vehicles
- Disengage parking brake cable from bracket under trapezoidal control arm. To do this, loosen bolts.
- Remove brake caliper - arrows -. To do so, use socket insert T40027.
Note:
^ Secure brake caliper to body with wire.
^ Do not allow brake caliper to hang from brake line.
- Remove speed sensor and cable guide
- On vehicles with headlight range control, remove connector from level control system sensor.
Vehicles with all-wheel drive
- Remove drive shaft from rear final drive.
- Secure drive shaft to body with wire.
- Disengage parking brake cable at fuel tank.
- Remove bolts - 2 - and remove strut.
- Remove brake disc and brake disc cover.
Continued for all vehicles
- Position engine and transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A with universal transmission support V.A.G 1359/2 and a corresponding wooden block at subframe or final drive (Fig. for vehicles with front wheel drive).
- Tighten band around subframe or final drive.
CAUTION!
Before -LOOSENING- subframe bolts, secure vehicle against tipping over (e.g. load luggage compartment with approx. 50 kg).
- Remove subframe bolts - arrows -.
Vehicles with front wheel drive
- Lay parking brake cable with brake caliper over transverse link.
- Carefully lower subframe. Guide subframe so it does not shift.
Vehicles with all-wheel drive
- Carefully lower subframe approx. 15 cm. Guide subframe so it does not shift.
- Slide subframe left so that right parking brake cable with brake caliper can be laid over transverse link.
Note:
^ Ensure brake hose is not stretched.
- Slide subframe right so that left parking brake cable with brake caliper can be laid over transverse link.
- Lower subframe.
Installing
Note:
^ Replace bolts and self-locking nuts.
Installation of subframe occurs in reverse order of removal.
- Center subframe over four bearing holes to body.
- Install new subframe bolts and washers and tighten.
Vehicles with all-wheel drive
- Install brake disc cover.
- Install brake disc and secure with wheel bolt.
- Install drive shaft to rear final drive.
- Install strut on body.
- Engage parking brake cable at fuel tank.
Continued for all vehicles
- Install and align exhaust system
- Place headlight range control connector on level control system sensor.
- Install speed sensor and cable guide
- Secure brake caliper to stub axle carrier or wheel bearing housing.
- Install parking brake cable with bracket below trapezoidal control arm and tighten bolts.
- First tighten strut nut - 1 - to 20 Nm.
- Install coil spring.
Only when you have loosed collar bolt:
Always use a new collar bolt!
- On vehicles with all wheel drive, install 5 wheel bolts hand tight and apply parking brake.
- Tighten collar bolt to specified torque without additional turning (front wheel drive) or (all wheel drive).
- Bonded rubber bushings have a limited torsional range. Only tighten threaded connections at links if vehicle is in curb weight position
- Tighten connection - 1 -.
- Mount wheel and tighten. This information is contained in AESIS; Library; Additional Information; Wheels and Tire Guide
Only when you have loosed collar screw:
- Tighten collar screw with specified additional turning.
CAUTION!
When loosening and tightening collar bolt, vehicle must stand on wheels.
- risk of accident -
- Install rear and side underbody trim.
- Perform vehicle alignment.
Alignment must take place on a VW/Audi recommended alignment stand.
Vehicles with heavy duty suspension
- Install stone protection and tighten bolts,
Convertible only
- Install diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 -.