Rear Knuckle: Service and Repair
Wheel Bearing Housing
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
• Remover (T10103)
• Remover (T10103/1)
• Wheel Hub Support (T10149)
• Fitting Tool (T10206)
• Socket XZN 32 (T10209)
• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1332)
• Engine/Gearbox Jack (V.A.G 1383 A)
• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1331)
• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1601)
• Vehicle Diagnostic Tester (VAS 5051B)
Removing
- Loosen the 12-point nut for the drive axle on the wheel hub. Refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Nut, Loosening and Tightening ] Procedures.
The wheel bearing must not be under a load while the drive axle threaded connection on the wheel side is loose.
If the wheel bearings are under the load of the vehicle's own weight, the wheel bearing will be damaged. This reduces the service life of the wheel bearings.
The 12-point nut may only be loosened a maximum of 90° when the vehicle is resting on its wheels.
Vehicles without a drive axle must not be moved, otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged. If a vehicle must be moved, be sure to note the following:
• Install an outer joint in place of the drive axle.
• Tighten the outer joint to 150 Nm.
Vehicles with a Steel Spring Shock Absorber
- Loosen the wheel bolts.
- Raise the vehicle.
- Remove the wheel.
- Loosen the threaded connection - arrows - between the steel spring shock absorber - 1 - and the coupling rod at the wheel bearing housing.
- Install the block of wood between the subframe - 1 - and the upper rear transverse link - 2 -.
- Press the axle down with a block of wood.
- Remove the bolt.
Vehicles with an Air Spring Shock Absorber
- Activate the vehicle lift mode and place the vehicle on the lifting platform. Refer to => [ Vehicle Lift Mode ] Description and Operation.
- Bleed the rear air spring shock absorber with the (VAS 5051B).
- Remove the wheel.
Continuation for Both Vehicles
- Remove the brake caliper and brake disk.
- Secure the brake caliper to the body so that the weight of the caliper does not stress or damage the brake hose or brake line.
- Remove the parking brake.
- Release the harness connector - 1 - at the parking brake motor of the electro-mechanical parking brake and disconnect.
- Release the connector - 1 - from the rear speed sensor and remove it.
- Remove the rear speed sensor - 1 -. Remove bolt - arrow - to do so.
- Unscrew the bolt - arrow - and remove the bracket - 1 - with the lines.
- Turn the wheel hub until one of the holes for the wheel bolts is on the bottom.
- Set up the tools as shown in the figure.
1. Remover (T10103/1)
2. (T10103)
3. (T10149)
4. (V.A.G 1383 A)
- Support the wheel bearing housing.
- Loosen the threaded connection - arrow - of the upper front transverse link - 1 - on the wheel bearing housing.
- Remove the bolt.
- Loosen the threaded connection - arrow - of the rear upper transverse link - 1 - on the wheel bearing housing.
- Remove the bolt.
- Loosen the threaded connection - arrow - for the tie rod - 1 - on the wheel bearing housing.
- Remove the bolt.
Vehicles with an Air Spring Shock Absorber
- Loosen the threaded connection - arrows - between the air spring shock absorber - 1 - and the coupling rod - 2 - at the wheel bearing housing - 3 -.
- Remove the bolt.
Continuation for Both Vehicles
- Loosen the threaded connection - arrows - of the lower transverse link - 1 - on the wheel bearing housing.
- Remove the bolt.
- Pull the wheel bearing housing off of the drive axle.
1. Remover (T10103/1)
2. (T10103)
3. (T10149)
4. (V.A.G 1383 A)
- Remove the wheel bearing housing together with the parking brake motor of the electro-mechanical parking brake and the brake carrier plate.
If the Wheel Bearing Housing is to be Replaced, the Following Steps Must be Performed:
- Clamp the wheel bearing housing in a vise with protective covers.
- Remove bolts - Arrows -.
- Remove the wheel bearing unit - 1 - from the wheel bearing housing.
• Avoid contaminating with dirt and damaging the seal when setting down/storing. Refer to => [ Avoid contaminating with dirt and damaging the seal when setting down/storing. ] Wheel Bearing Overview
Avoid Contaminating with Dirt and Damaging the Seal When Setting Down/Storing.
• The wheel bearing - 1 - must always face up.
• Always set the wheel bearing down on the wheel hub - 2 -.
The same procedure also applies to the wheel bearing without a wheel hub.
- Unscrew the bolts - 1 - and remove the cover plate - 2 -.
- Remove the parking brake motor of the electro-mechanical parking brake.
Installing
• If the wheel bearing housing was replaced, the assembly sequence must be observed.
• Install the parking brake motor of the electro-mechanical parking brake.
• Install the cover plate.
• Install the wheel bearing unit.
Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:
- Install the wheel bearing housing with the (T10149) and the (V.A.G 1383 A).
- Insert the outer joint of the drive axle as far as possible into the gearing in the wheel hub.
- Tighten the threaded connections at the wheel bearing housing by hand.
- Remove the (T10149) from the wheel bearing housing.
Vehicles with a Steel Spring Shock Absorber
- Install the block of wood between the subframe - 1 - and the upper rear transverse link - 2 -.
- Press the axle down with a block of wood.
- Loosen the bolt - arrows - between the steel spring shock absorber - 1 - and the coupling rod at the wheel bearing housing.
- Tighten the threaded connection by hand.
Continuation for Both Vehicles
- Pull in the drive axle.
1. (T10206)
• Only bolt the wheel bearing housing if the dimension "a" is reached. Refer to => [ Front Axle, Lifting to Curb Weight Position ] Front Axle, Lifting to Curb Weight Position.
- Tighten the threaded connections on the wheel bearing housing.
Vehicles with an Air Spring Shock Absorber
- Fill the rear air spring shock absorber using the (VAS 5051B).
Continuation for Both Vehicles
- Install the parking brake.
- Install the rear speed sensor - 1 -.
- Tighten the bolt - arrow -.
- Install the brake caliper and brake disk.
- Tighten the 12-point nut for the drive axle on the wheel hub. Refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Nut, Loosening and Tightening ] Procedures.
- Install the wheel and tighten the wheel bolts. Refer to => [ Wheel Bolt Torque Specification ] [1][2]Specifications.
Tightening Specification
