Ball Joint: Service and Repair

Ball Joint

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Ball joint puller (3287A)

• Torque wrench 40-200 Nm (VAG 1332)

• Engine and transmission jack (VAG 1383A)

• Angle wrench (VAG 1756)

Removing

- Loosen the drive axle to wheel hub bolt, refer to one of the following:

• If equipped with a hex bolt, refer to --> [ Drive Axle Hex Bolt, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Hex Bolt, Loosening and Tightening.

• If equipped with a 12 point bolt, refer to --> [ Drive Axle 12 Point Bolt, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle 12 Point Bolt, Loosening and Tightening.

CAUTION!
Vehicle must not be resting on its wheels when tightening or loosening.

With bolt loosened, the wheel bearing can be damaged by the vehicle's own weight.

If a vehicle needs to be moved when the drive axle is removed, an outer joint must be installed and tightened to 50 Nm.

- Remove the wheel.

- Remove the ball joint nuts - arrows -.





- Pull the drive axle slightly out of wheel hub.

- Remove the lower control arm from the ball joint studs.

- Move the lower control arm downward as far as possible.

- Attach the (3287 A) as shown in the illustration and press out the ball joint.





• Place the (VAG 1383 A) or similar underneath (risk of accident if components fall off when pressing out ball joint).

• To protect the ball joint threads , leave the nut on a few turns.

Installing

- Insert the ball joint into the wheel bearing housing.

- Install the drive axle into the wheel hub.

- Install new self locking nuts onto the ball joint, counter hold using the (T40) while doing this.

- Tighten the nuts - arrows -.





• Make sure that the ball joint boot is not damaged or twisted.

- Install the wheel and tighten. Refer to --> [ Wheel Bolt Tightening Specification ] .

- Tighten the drive axle to wheel hub bolt, refer to one of the following:

• If equipped with a hex bolt, refer to --> [ Drive Axle Hex Bolt, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Hex Bolt, Loosening and Tightening.

• If equipped with a 12 point bolt, refer to --> [ Drive Axle 12 Point Bolt, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle 12 Point Bolt, Loosening and Tightening.

• When doing this, the vehicle must not rest on its wheels, otherwise the wheel bearing may be damaged.

Tightening Specifications