Rear Axle, Removing and Installing

Rear axle, removing and installing

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required:

^ Torque wrench V.A.G. 1332
^ Engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A with universal transmission mount V.A.G 1359/2
^ Brake pedal depressor V.A.G. 1869/2

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

Tightening strap T10038:

Wheel hub support T10149:

Removing





- Measure dimension - a - from center of wheel to lower edge of the wheel housing.
- Make a note of measurement. This is necessary to tighten bolts for rear axle to bearing bracket.
- Install brake pedal loading device V.A.G 1869/2.
- Actuate brake pedal with brake pedal loading device.
The bearing bracket should not be removed to remove rear axle!





- Remove bolts - 1 - with vehicle standing on its wheels. Raise vehicle until the bolts are accessible.
- Loosen wheel bolts.
- Raise vehicle to assembly height to relieve the pressure on the coil spring.
- Remove wheels.

Tighten vehicle to lifting platform
Before removing rear axle, the vehicle must be fixed to the support arms of lifting platform.

CAUTION: If the vehicle is not secured, there is a risk that it may slip off the hoist.





- Remove plugs from trailing arm - 3 - and tighten tensioning strap.
1 - Support arm of lifting platform
2 - Tightening strap T10038
- The vehicle must be tightened with the tensioning straps on left and right side.

Vehicles with automatic headlight range control
- Removing coupling rod from Left Rear Level Control System Sensor G76 from rear axle go to Left rear level control system sensor G76 on rear axle for front wheel drive.

Continue for all vehicles





- Unclip brake cable from support on rear axle body - arrow A - and remove from supports - arrow
- Pull off clip - 1 -.
- Place engine/transmission jack VAG 1383 A with cloth under brake line.
- Remove brake pedal loading device VAG 1869/2.





- Disconnect brake lines.





- Remove securing bolts from brake caliper housing, while counter-holding on guide pins.
- Remove brake caliper and secure to body.





- Disconnect connector - 1 - from speed sensor.
- Unclip wheel speed sensor wiring from retainer.
- Support rear axle with engine/transmission jack VAG 1383 A.





- Remove bearing bracket bolts - 1 - on rear axle on both sides and lower rear axle.

Installing

Greasing bonded rubber bushing
- Grease bonded rubber bushing kidney shaped cavity with assembly paste G 052 150 A2 before installing rear axle.

If rear axle is not lubricated when installed, it will be noisy when driving.





Tightening bearing bracket is only possible, when the measured value - a - from middle of wheel hub to lower edge bordering wheel housing is reached.

Otherwise the bonded rubber bushing will be distorted, resulting in reduced service life.

- Turn wheel hub until one of the holes for wheel bolts is at 12 o'clock position.
- Install wheel hub support T10149 with a wheel bolt.
- Raise wheel bearing housing using the engine/transmission jack until dimension - a - is reached.

CAUTION:
^ Do not raise or lower vehicle while engine/transmission jack is under vehicle.
^ Do not leave engine and transmission lift under the vehicle longer than necessary.

- Tighten bolts from bearing bracket to rear axle with tightening torque.

Installation is continued in reverse sequence

After installing check position of steering wheel during a test drive.

If steering wheel is not in straight ahead position the front axle alignment must be checked!