Removal and Replacement

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 ] Description and Operation.

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

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

With screw 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 the wheel.

- Remove the nuts - arrows -.






- Pull the drive axle slightly off the 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 the wheel and tighten the wheel bolts. Refer to => [ Wheel Bolts Tightening Specification ] [1][2]Specifications.

- Tighten drive axle bolt to wheel hub:

• Hex head bolt, refer to => [ Drive Axle Hex Bolt Connection, Loosening and Tightening ] Description and Operation.

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

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

Tightening Specifications