Lower Track Control Link

Lower Track Control Link, Removing And Installing

WARNING:
^ Do not re-use any fasteners that are worn or deformed in normal use.
^ Some fasteners are designed to be used only once, and are unreliable and may fail if used a second time. This includes, but is not limited to, nuts, bolts, washers, circlips and cotter pins. Always follow the recommendations-replace these fasteners with new parts where indicated, and any other time it is deemed necessary by inspection.

Removing
- Remove wheel trim.
On light-alloy wheels use puller in vehicle tool kit to remove trim cap.
- Remove wheel.

Note: Cover the boot (e.g. by inserting a leather cloth) to protect it from damage.





- Remove nut from ball joint pin of lower track control link, then press ball joint pin from tapered seat.

To remove the bolt securing the suspension strut to the lower track control link, the lower guide link must first be disconnected from the wheel bearing housing.





- Remove nut from lower guide link ball joint pin and press off joint pin.
^ If necessary, counter-hold ball joint pin using 4 mm hex wrench.
^ Be careful to not damage joint boot.





- Remove bolt -1-.
- Remove ribbed nuts -2- and -3- and remove connecting link.

CAUTION: Install a support device (e.g. VAG1383A transmission jack) to prevent damage to the lower link joints resulting from excessive rebound travel in the suspension.

- Remove bolt -4-.
- Remove lower track control link.

Installing
^ All bolts and nuts must be replaced





Note: Only use the outer holes (arrows).

CAUTION: The bonded rubber bushings can only be turned to a limited extent The bolted connections on the suspension links should therefore only be tightened when the vehicle is standing on the ground





- Install new bolt -4- and new nut.
Tightening torque: 80 Nm (59 ft. lbs.) + 1/4-turn (90°).
- Tighten nuts on ball joint pins (for lower guide link and lower track control link).
Tightening torque: 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.).
- Tighten nut -1- to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.).
Arrow on connecting link points in direction of travel.
- Tighten nut -2- to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.) + 1/4-turn (90°).
- Tighten nut -3- to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.).