Volkswagen Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Removing and installing suspension strut, Golf

Special tools and workshop equipment required

t	Torque wrench -V.A.G 1332-

t	Spreader -3424-

t	Engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A-

t	Support -T10149-

Removing –  Loosen drive shaft bolt at wheel hub: t  Hexagon bolt → Chapter t  Twelve-point head bolt with ribbing → Chapter t  Twelve-point head bolt without ribbing → Chapter   Caution Wheel bearings must not be subjected to load after bolt securing drive shaft to wheel hub has been loosened. If wheel bearings are loaded with weight of vehicle, bearing will be damaged. This reduces the service life of the wheel bearing. It is not permissible to turn drive shaft bolt more than 90° anti-clockwise if vehicle is standing on the wheels. Do not attempt to move the vehicle without the drive shafts fitted as this would damage the wheel bearing. If a vehicle nevertheless has to be moved, comply with the following: t  Install an outer joint instead of the drive shaft. t  Tighten outer joint to 120 Nm. –  Remove wheel.

–  Unscrew hexagon nut for coupling rod -arrow- from suspension strut. –  Unhook speed sensor wiring from suspension strut.

–  Remove nuts -arrows-. –  Pull wheel bearing housing with swivel joint out of suspension link. –  Pull outer joint of drive shaft out of wheel hub. –  Secure drive shaft to body with wire.   Caution Do not allow the drive shaft to hang down under its own weight, for this would allow the inner joint to bend too far and be damaged. –  Bolt swivel joint to suspension link again.

–  Bolt engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- with support -T10149- to wheel hub using a wheel bolt.   WARNING t  Do not lift or lower vehicle while engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- is under vehicle. The vehicle could slip off the lifting platform. t  Do not leave engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- under vehicle longer than necessary.

–  Separate threaded connection between wheel bearing housing and suspension strut -arrow-.

–  Insert spreader-3424- into slot of wheel bearing housing. –  Turn ratchet handle through 90° and detach from spreader -3424-. –  Press brake disc towards suspension strut by hand. Otherwise the shock absorber tube can cant in the bore of the wheel bearing housing. –  Pull wheel bearing housing downwards off shock absorber tube and lower with engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- until shock absorber tube is free. –  Tie wheel bearing housing up to subframe bracket using a piece of wire. –  Pull engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- out from under wheel bearing housing.   WARNING Do not leave engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- under vehicle longer than necessary. –  Remove wiper arms → Rep. gr.92. –  Remove plenum chamber cover.

–  Remove hexagon bolts -arrows- for upper shock absorber mounting and remove suspension strut. Installing

Installation position of spring plate –  Insert suspension strut with one of the two markings -arrows- pointing forwards.

Tighten hexagon bolts -arrows- for upper shock absorber mounting. –  Install plenum chamber cover. –  Install wiper arms → Rep. gr.92.

–  Bolt engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- with support-T10149- to wheel hub using a wheel bolt.   WARNING t  Do not lift or lower vehicle while engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- is under vehicle. The vehicle could slip off the lifting platform. t  Do not leave engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- under vehicle longer than necessary. –  Position suspension strut on wheel bearing housing. –  Remove wire from wheel bearing housing. –  Using gearbox jack, carefully raise wheel bearing housing until bolt securing suspension strut to wheel bearing housing can be inserted. –  Press brake disc towards suspension strut by hand while lifting. Otherwise the shock absorber tube can cant in the bore of the wheel bearing housing. –  Remove spreader -3424-.

–  Tighten threaded connection between wheel bearing housing and suspension strut -arrow-   WARNING Do not leave engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- under vehicle longer than necessary.

–  Remove nuts -arrows-. –  Fit drive shaft in wheel hub. –  Fit wheel bearing housing with swivel joint in suspension link. –  Bolt swivel joint to suspension link.   Note Ensure that bellows are not damaged or twisted. –  Tighten drive shaft bolt at wheel hub: t  Hexagon bolt → Chapter t  Twelve-point head bolt with ribbing → Chapter t  Twelve-point head bolt without ribbing → Chapter   Caution During this step, vehicle must not be standing on its wheels. The wheel bearing can be damaged by the weight of the vehicle if the bolt is loosened.

Distinguishing features between twelve-point head bolt with ribbing and twelve-point head bolt without ribbing. The twelve-point head bolt are only distinguishable on the contact surfaces -arrow A- and -arrow B-. I -  Twelve-point head bolt with ribbing -arrow A- II -  Twelve-point head bolt without ribbing -arrow B- Continue installation in reverse order. –  Install wheel and tighten bolts or nuts → Chapter.

Specified torques

Component	Specified torque
Suspension strut to wheel bearing housing t  Use new nut	70 Nm + 90°
Suspension strut to body (suspension turret) t  Use new bolts	15 Nm + 90°
Swivel joint to cast steel suspension link t  Use new nuts	60 Nm
Swivel joint to sheet steel or forged aluminium suspension link t  Use new nuts	100 Nm
Coupling rod to suspension strut t  Use new nut t  Counterhold on multi-point socket of joint pin	65 Nm
Drive shaft to wheel hub „hexagon bolt“ t  Use new bolt	200 Nm + 180°
Drive shaft to wheel hub „twelve-point head bolt with ribbing“ t  Use new bolt	70 Nm + 90°
Drive shaft to wheel hub „twelve-point head bolt without ribbing“ t  Use new bolt	200 Nm + 180°