Ball Joint: Service and Repair

Ball joint, removing and installing





Special tools and equipment

^ 3283 Hub puller
^ 3287 A Ball joint puller
^ V.A.G 1383 A Engine/transmission jack
^ V.A.G 1756 Angle measuring wrench

Removing
- Lift vehicle until load on front axle is relieved.
- Loosen 12-point nut.





- Remove noise insulation panel -arrows-.

WARNING:

The vehicle must be standing on its wheels when loosening or tightening the 12-point nut. Otherwise there is risk of an accident.





- Remove left-side noise insulation -arrows-.

Vehicles with TDI engine

- Remove intake air duct between charge air cooler and turbocharger.

Continuation for all vehicles

- Remove right-side noise insulation.
- Mark installation position of ball joint bolts on control arm.





- Remove bolts -arrows-.





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

Note:
^ When pressing drive axle out make sure that sufficient clearance is available.

- Secure drive axle to body with wire.

The drive axle must not hang down by inner CV or triple rotor joint. Do not flex inner CV or triple-rotor joint more than 25 ° from its original angle.

The inner joint will be damaged through overflexing.

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





- Swing wheel together with suspension strut outward and support.
- Remove nut from control arm.





- Install ball joint puller and press out ball joint.

WARNING:
^ Place VAG1383A engine/transmission jack underneath. Otherwise there is the risk of injury from falling parts when pressing out the ball joint.
^ For safety reasons and to protect the ball joint threads, leave the nut threaded on a few turns.

Installing





- Install new self-locking nut, counter-hold with T40 torx key.

1. Torx key T40
2. Box wrench insert or open end wrench insert ~ Illustration V40-1323
3. VAG 1331 torque wrench

- Install ball joint in wheel bearing housing.
- Install drive axle.
- Mount ball joint to control arm (align bolts to markings).
Use new bolts!





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

Note:

Check to make sure that the boot is not damaged or twisted.

Fastener/location Tightening torque
Ball joint to control arm 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.) plus additional 90° turn
Use new bolts!
Ball joint to wheel bearing housing 45 Nm (33 ft. lbs.)
12-point nut for drive axle to wheel hub 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.) plus additional 45° turn
Use new nuts!