Ball Joint: Service and Repair

Ball Joint

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Ball Joint Puller (3287A)

• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1332)

• Engine/Transmission Jack (V.A.G 1383 A)

• Angle Wrench (V.A.G 1756)

Removing

- Loosen drive axle bolt to wheel hub:

• Hex head bolt, refer to => [ Drive Axle Hex Bolt Connection, Loosening and Tightening ] Removal and Replacement

• Twelve point bolt, refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt, Loosening and Tightening ] Procedures

CAUTION!
Vehicle must not be sitting on the wheels when tightening or loosening.

With bolt loosened, wheel bearing can be damaged by 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 wheel.

- Remove nuts - arrows -.





- Pull drive axle slightly out of wheel hub.

- Pull ball joint out of control arm.

- Bend control arm as far downward as necessary.

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





• Place (V.A.G 1383 A) or something similar underneath (danger of accident if parts fall off when ejecting ball joint).

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

Installing

- Insert ball joint into wheel bearing housing.

- Install drive axle in wheel hub.

- Install new self-locking nut, and counter-hold with internal TORX bit (T40).

- Tighten nuts - arrows -.





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

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

- Tighten drive axle bolt to wheel hub:

• Hex head bolt, refer to => [ Drive Axle Hex Bolt Connection, Loosening and Tightening ] Removal and Replacement

• Twelve point bolt, refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt, Loosening and Tightening ] Procedures

• Vehicle must not be standing on its wheels when doing this, otherwise wheel bearing will be damaged.

Tightening Specifications