Volkswagen Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Removing and installing rear axle

Special tools and workshop equipment required

t	Torque wrench -V.A.G 1332-

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

t	Tensioning strap -T10038-

t	Locating pins -T10096-

Removing subframe with attachments –  Remove wheels. –  Remove coil springs →  –  Remove front and rear silencers of exhaust system → Engine → Rep. gr.26.

–  On vehicles with automatic headlight range control, separate wiring connection -1-. –  Remove ABS speed sensor out of wheel bearing housing.

–  Remove bolt -arrow-.

–  Lever off spring clip -1- for handbrake cable. –  Push lever -2- in -direction of arrow- and unhook brake cable -3-.

–  Unscrew hexagon bolt -1- and detach handbrake cable -2- from brake cable bracket.

Vehicles with retainer for hand brake cable –  Remove retainer -1- by pushing out inner pin of rivet -arrow-. Continuation for all vehicles

–  Unclip speed sensor wire from retainer -1--arrows-.

–  Pull out hose retainer -1- on both sides of vehicle.

–  Mark installation position of bearing bracket on body. –  Remove bolts -arrows-.

–  Now secure vehicle to hoist using tensioning straps -T10038 -.   WARNING If the vehicle is not strapped down, there is a danger that the vehicle will slip off the lifting platform/hoist.

–  Position engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- under subframe using universal gearbox mounting -V.A.G 1359/2- and secure with tensioning strap.

–  Unscrew bolt -1- or -2- on both sides.   Note Only the left side of vehicle is shown to improve clarity.

–  Fix position of subframe using 2 locating pins -T10096- and tighten to 20 Nm.   Note The locating pins -T10096- may be tightened only to a maximum of 20 Nm; otherwise the threads of the locating pins may be damaged. –  Unscrew remaining 2 bolts from subframe. –  Carefully lower subframe with attachments a maximum of 30 mm.   Note When lowering, ensure there is sufficient clearance to the brake lines and electrical cables.

–  Unclip brake line -1- from clips -arrows-.   Note t  The clips will be destroyed and must be renewed. t  For reasons of clarity, the illustration shows the subframe from above in removed state. –  Lower subframe with attachments. Installing subframe with attachments Install in reverse order. Note the following points:

Specified torques

Component	Specified torque
Subframe to body t  Use new bolts	90 Nm + 90°
Shock absorber to wheel bearing housing	180 Nm
Mounting bracket to body t  Use new bolts	50 Nm + 45°
Handbrake cable to trailing arm → Brake systems; Rep. gr.46