Volkswagen Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Removing and installing subframe with steering box Special tools and workshop equipment required

t  Ball joint puller -3287 A-

t  Torque wrench -V.A.G 1332- Removing –  Turn steering wheel to straight-ahead position and remove ignition key so that the steering lock engages. Vehicles with keyless locking and starting system „Keyless Access“ –  Switch off ignition and open driver's door so that the steering lock engages. Continuation for all vehicles –  Remove battery and battery tray → Electrical system; Rep. gr.27.

–  Disconnect cable -1- from electrics box.

–  Separate connection -1-. –  Unscrew cap nut and remove earth cable –  Open cover -2- –  Remove wiring harness from bracket on longitudinal member so that it can be removed together with the steering box.

–  Remove footwell trim -1-.

–  Remove bolt -1- and pull universal joint -2- off steering box. –  Remove front wheels. –  Remove lower noise insulation → General body repairs, exterior; Rep. gr.50. –  Pull connector off oil level and temperature sender -G266- and pull wiring off subframe.

–  Detach exhaust system bracket from subframe -arrows-.

–  Unbolt nuts -1- from left and right coupling rods -2-. –  Pull out coupling rods -2- from anti-roll bar -3-.

–  Remove nuts -arrows-. –  Loosen nut on track rod ball joint but do not remove completely.   Caution Leave nut screwed on a few turns to protect thread on pin.

–  Press track rod ball joint off wheel bearing housing using ball joint puller -3287A- and now remove nut.

–  Disconnect pendulum support from gearbox by removing bolts -14-. –  Fix position of subframe → Chapter.

–  Position engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- under subframe. –  Place a wooden block -1- or similar between V.A.G 1383 A and subframe.

–  Remove bolts -9- and -10- and lower subframe with bracket slightly. Observe electrical wiring. –  Slowly lower engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- and guide steering box wiring harness.

–  Secure subframe to engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- with the appropriate strap. Installing Install in reverse order. –  Install noise insulation and tighten, torque settings → General body repairs, exterior; Rep. gr.50 –  Fit wheels → Chapter. –  Install battery and battery tray → Electrical system; Rep. gr.27.

Specified torques

Component	Specified torque
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
Subframe to body t  Use new bolts	70 Nm + 90°
Mounting bracket to body t  Use new bolts	70 Nm + 90°
Bracket to body t  Use new bolts	70 Nm + 90°
Anti-roll bar to coupling rod t  Use new nut t  Counterhold on multi-point socket of joint pin	65 Nm
Track rod ball joint to wheel bearing housing t  Use new nut	20 Nm + 90°
Universal joint to steering box t  Use new bolt	30 Nm
Exhaust system bracket to subframe → Engine; Rep. gr.26

Torque specifications for pendulum support to gearbox

Bolt	Specified torque
M10 x 35 t  Use new bolt	50 Nm + 90° further
M10 x 75 t  Use new bolt	50 Nm + 90° further