Removal and Replacement

Ball Joint

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Ball Joint Puller (3287A)

• Torque Wrench (40-200 Nm) (V.A.G 1332)

• Engine-/Gearbox Jack (V.A.G 1383 A)

• Digital Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1756)

Removing

- Loosen the drive axle to wheel hub bolt. Refer to => [ Drive Axle Bolt Loosening and Tightening, Twelve Point Bolt with Ribs ] Drive Axle Bolt Loosening and Tightening, Twelve Point Bolt with Ribs.

- Remove the wheel.

- Remove the ball joint nuts - arrows -.






- Pull the drive axle slightly out of the wheel hub.

- Remove the ball joint from the control arm and at the same time swivel the wheel bearing housing to the outside.

- Bend the control arm as far downward as necessary.

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






• Place the engine-/gearbox jack (V.A.G 1383 A) or something similar underneath (danger of an accident if parts fall off when removing the ball joint).

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

Installing

- Install the ball joint to wheel bearing housing.

- Install new self-locking nut, and counter hold the stud an T40 internal TORX(R) bit.

- Install the drive axle to the wheel hub.

- Install and tighten the ball joint nuts - arrows -.






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

- Install the wheel and tighten the bolts. Refer to => [ Wheel Bolt Tightening Specifications ] [1][2]Specifications.

- Install and tighten the drive axle to wheel hub bolt. Refer to => [ Drive Axle Bolt Loosening and Tightening, Twelve Point Bolt with Ribs ] Drive Axle Bolt Loosening and Tightening, Twelve Point Bolt with Ribs.

• The vehicle must not be sitting on its wheels when doing this, otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged.

Tightening Specifications