Volkswagen Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Removing and installing wheel bearing housing

Special tools and workshop equipment required

t	Ball joint puller -3287A-

t	Torque wrench -V.A.G 1332-

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

t	Angle wrench -V.A.G 1756-

t  Spreader -3424- Removing –  Loosen drive shaft bolt at wheel hub: 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. –  Remove brake caliper and hang from body using wire → Brake system; Rep. gr.46. –  Remove ABS speed sensor → Brake systems; Rep. gr.46 –  Remove brake disc. –  Now remove splash plate from wheel bearing housing. –  Loosen nut on track rod ball joint but do not remove completely. 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.

–  Loosen nuts -arrows-. –  Pull swivel joint out of suspension link. –  Pull outer joint of drive shaft out of wheel hub. –  Secure drive shaft to body with wire. –  Now position engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- under wheel bearing housing.

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

–  Insert spreader -3424- in slot in wheel bearing housing. –  Turn ratchet handle through 90° and detach from spreader -3424-. –  Pull wheel bearing housing from suspension strut.   Note If wheel bearing housing is renewed, swivel joint must be transferred. Always use new nuts. Installing Carry out installation in the reverse sequence, noting the following: –  Tighten drive shaft bolt at wheel hub: 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- If wheel bearing housing is renewed, wheels must be aligned → Chapter. –  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°
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
Track rod ball joint to wheel bearing housing t  Use new nut	20 Nm + 90°
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°