Ball Joint: Service and Repair

Ball joint, removing and installing

Special tools and equipment





^ 3283 Press





^ VAG 1756 Angle wrench

Special tools and equipment




^ 3287A Ball joint puller





^ VAG 1383 A Engine/transmission jack

Removing

Note:

Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when loosening or tightening 12 point axle nut

- Lift vehicle until the load on the front axle is relieved.
- Loosen 12-point nut.
- Remove noise insulation.





- Remove bolts (arrows).





- Press axle shaft out. Install tool as shown in illustration.

^ When pressing axle shaft out make sure sufficient clearance is available.

- Secure axle shaft to body with wire.
The axle shaft must not hang down!

The inner joint will otherwise be damaged through overflexing.

- Pull wheel bearing housing with ball joint out from control arm.





- Swing wheel with suspension strut outward and support.





- Install ball joint puller as shown in illustration and press out ball joint.

Notes:

^ Place engine/transmission jack VAG 1383/A, or similar, underneath to ensure safety (danger of accident through falling parts when pressing out the ball joint).
^ To protect ball joint threads and for safety reasons leave nut on a few turns.

Installing





- Install new self-locking nut, and counter-hold with T40 Torx bit.

1. Torx bit T40
2. Ring wrench insert or slotted ring wrench insert = Fig. V40-1323
3. VAG 1331

- Install ball joint in wheel bearing housing.
- Secure ball joint to control arm (bolts on old marks).

Use new bolts!





1. Box wrench insert (commercial type, 18 mm, 0.709 inch AF)
2. Open end wrench insert (commercial type, 18 mm, 0.709 inch AF)

Note:

Check boot for damaged or twisting.





Tightening torques: