Removing and Installing Lower Trailing Arm

Removing and installing lower trailing arm





Preliminary work

Remove transverse control arm cover.

Raise the vehicle.

Remove the wheel.

Tools

Ball joint puller T40010 - For pressing out the ball joint on the wheel carrier at the bottom.

Spring tensioner VW 552 - For slightly tensioning the trailing arm.

Removing lower trailing arm

WARNING
Wheel bearing housing raised incorrectly
* Risk of squashing
* Risk of damage to components

-> Wear personal protective gear.
-> Do not raise the wheel suspension higher than the normal vehicle position (vehicle resting on wheels).





Lower trailing arm component

1. Secure upper trailing arm using the spring tensioner VW 552. This involves tensioning the trailing arm slightly because otherwise the top ball joint can become damaged.
1.1. Spring tensioner VW 552 -arrow- must be secured at the top.





Securing spring tensioner on front axle, top

1.2. Spring tensioner VW 552 -arrow- must be secured at the bottom.





Securing spring tensioner on front axle, bottom

2. On all-wheel-drive vehicles, use a protective tube (shop-made) for the drive shafts.
3. Then, remove the fastening screw for the lower spring strut -arrow-. To do this, use a suitable lift -lift with rubber base- (to prevent slipping) to lift the wheel carrier so that the screw can be unscrewed easily (Secure the spring tensioner VW 552 to prevent it from falling down!).





Lifting wheel carrier (air suspension)

4. Remove the lock nut from the bottom ball joint. When doing this, leave the lock nut flush on the ball pin so as not to damage the thread.





Loosening lower trailing arm

4.1. Carefully press off the joint using the ball joint puller T40010.
5. Mark the eccentric screws for adjusting camber and caster on the chassis subframe (facilitates fitting during reinstallation).
6. Then remove the eccentric screws. Make sure not to damage the steering boot while doing this. Press the trailing arm out of the chassis subframe mounting points.
7. Remove the lock nuts from the lower trailing arm and tilt the trailing arm down fully. Carefully remove the ball joint from the wheel carrier.
8. If you do not intend to use the trailing arm again, the air guide must be refitted without spring-strut mount.





Air guide on lower trailing arm, without spring-strut mount

Installing lower trailing arm

WARNING
Wheel bearing housing raised incorrectly
* Risk of squashing
* Risk of damage to components

-> Wear personal protective gear.
-> Do not raise the wheel suspension higher than the normal vehicle position (vehicle resting on wheels).

1. Installation is carried out in reverse order.
2. Spring tensioner VW 552 must be removed.

Subsequent work

Fit transverse control arm cover.

Fit the wheel.

Perform suspension alignment.