Removal and Replacement
Replacing bearing for rear axle
Preliminary work
1. Switch off level adjustment.
2. Lift the vehicle.
3. On vehicles with leveling system: Bleed the system at the rear axle or bleed the relevant air-spring strut using the Porsche System Tester.
4. Remove the relevant wheel.
5. Remove wheel housing liner.
6. On vehicles with steel springs: Relieve the relevant steel springs.
7. Remove the relevant center protective plate at the left/right.
8. Remove rear protective plate.
9. Remove cross strut (W-strut).
10. For rear RA chassis subframe bearings:
10.1. Remove rear silencer.
10.2. Partly remove rear anti-roll bar. In other words: Suspend the anti-roll bar on the connecting links.
General warning notes
WARNING
Preloaded or pressurized components
* Risk of squashing or bruising
-> Do not reach into the danger area.
-> Relieve the tension on components before starting work.
-> Secure components to prevent them from loosening suddenly.
Caution
Heavy components
* Risk of squashing
-> Wear personal protective gear.
-> Get someone to help if necessary.
NOTICE
Incorrect line routing
* Risk of damage to lines and hoses
* Malfunction and fault memory entry on control unit
-> Avoid small bending radii when routing lines.
-> File down edges and burrs in the routing area or mask them with adhesive tape.
-> Maintain a sufficient distance from components exposed to high temperatures while driving.
Tools and materials
Foot pump VAS 6179 WE 1283
Hydraulic cylinder VAS 6178 WE 1284
Pressure gauge with connecting line VAS 6179/1 WE 1292
Assembly fixture 9698
Replacing bearing for rear axle housing (chassis subframe)
The suspension subframe bearings must be replaced at the sides. The advantage of this is that at least two attachment points remain fitted. As a result, there is no need for >>Suspension alignment, complete<<.
1. Unclip the relevant central connector at the rear, over the anti-roll-bar mount.
2. Detach the vibration damper at the top. Carefully pull off the connector in the luggage compartment on vehicles with PASM.
3. Position a suitable jack at a suitable position at the sides of the rear axle housing (chassis subframe) and raise it slightly.
4. Carefully release both suspension subframe bearings and lower the rear axle housing carefully by approx. 40 mm.
Press out rear-axle bearing at the rear
Information
Hold the hydraulic cylinder VAS 6178 tightly while pressing it out.
5. Press out the bearing. Get a second mechanic to help!
The illustration shows the tool setup for pressing out the rear bearings.
* Assembly fixture 9698 with the specified accessory must be used
* - VAS 6178 Hydraulic cylinder
* - 3 Threaded rod
* - 4 Nut
* - 5 Bush (bell)
* - 2 Press-out plate
* - 1 Thrust ring (fitted with the phase facing the chassis subframe)
Pressing out rear-axle bearing at the rear (shown as an example)
Press in rear-axle bearing at the rear
6. Press in the bearing. Get a second mechanic to help!
Information
Instructions for pressing in bearings
Clean the bearing seat with a lint-free cloth before installation.
The bearing must be aligned and guided into vertical position for pressing it in. Reposition it quickly a number of times if necessary.
Visually check the bearing for leaks and check that it is installed at the correct position.
Using the foot pump, apply several short bursts of air to the bearing until it moves to its end position.
7. Position the bearing for installation Align the notch on the bearing ± 5 degrees away from the direction of travel.
The illustration shows the tool setup for pressing in the rear bearings.
* Assembly fixture 9698 with the specified accessory must be used
* - VAS 6178 Hydraulic cylinder
* - 3 Threaded rod
* - 4 Nut
* - 6 Press-in plate
* - 7 Press-in washer (for pressure pins)
* - 9 Short pressure pins (screwed into the press-in washer)
Pressing in rear-axle bearing at the rear (shown as an example)
Press out rear-axle bearing at the front
Information
Hold the hydraulic cylinder VAS 6178 tightly while pressing it out.
8. Press out the bearing. Get a second mechanic to help!
The illustration shows the tool setup for pressing out the front bearings.
* Assembly fixture 9698 with the specified accessory must be used
* - VAS 6178 Hydraulic cylinder
* - 3 Threaded rod
* - 4 Nut
* - 5 Bush (bell)
* - 2 Press-out plate
* - 1 Thrust ring (fitted with the phase facing the chassis subframe)
Pressing out rear-axle bearing at the front (shown as an example)
Press in rear-axle bearing at the front
9. Press in the bearing. Get a second mechanic to help!
Information
Instructions for pressing in bearings
Clean the bearing seat with a lint-free cloth before installation.
The bearing must be aligned and guided into vertical position for pressing it in. Reposition it quickly a number of times if necessary.
Visually check the bearing for leaks and check that it is installed at the correct position.
Using the foot pump, apply several short bursts of air to the bearing until it moves to its end position.
10. Position the bearing for installation Align the notch on the bearing ± 5 degrees away from the direction of travel.
The illustration shows the tool setup for pressing in the front bearings.
* Assembly fixture 9698 with the specified accessory must be used
* - VAS 6178 Hydraulic cylinder
* - 3 Threaded rod
* - 4 Nut
* - 6 Press-in plate
* - 7 Press-in washer (for pressure pins)
* - 8 Long pressure pins (screwed into the press-in washer)
Pressing in rear-axle bearing at the front (shown as an example)
Subsequent work
Installation is performed in reverse order.
On vehicles with leveling system: Fill the system at the rear axle or fill the relevant air-spring strut using the Porsche System Tester.
Observe correct tightening torques.