Ball Joint: Service and Repair

Ball joint, removing and installing





Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
^ Hub puller 3283
^ Ball joint puller 3287 A
^ Engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A
^ Angle wrench V.A.G. 1756

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 wheel.
- Remove noise insulation.
- Mark installation position of bolts from ball joint to control arm.





- Remove bolts - Arrows -.





- Press drive axle out. Install hub puller 3283 as shown in illustration.

Note:
^ When pressing drive axle out ensure sufficient clearance is available.

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





- Swing wheel with suspension strut outward and support e.g. with a piece of wood - 1 -, to do this pull drive axle out from wheel bearing.
- Secure drive axle to structure with wire.
The drive axle must not hang down!
The inner joint will be damaged through overflexing.
- Loosen nut from ball joint.





- Install ball joint puller 3282 A as shown in illustration and press out ball joint.

Note:
^ Place engine/transmission jack V.A.G. 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 ball joint in wheel bearing housing.





- 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 - V.A. G 1331
- Install drive axle.
- Secure ball joint to control arm (bolts on old marks).





Use new bolts!
1 - Box wrench insert (commercial type, 18 mm)
2 - Open end wrench insert (commercial type, 18 mm)

Note:
^ Check boot for damage or twisting.

- Install and fasten wheel.
- Tighten 12-point nut or hex bolt.





Tightening torques