Front Suspension

Swing arm/wheel bearing housing, removing and installing
Removing

WARNING: The axle shaft bolt must be loosened or tightened only with the vehicle standing on its wheels.

- Remove axle shaft bolt
- Remove wheel.





- Remove bolts -1- for brake caliper and remove brake caliper (Do not disconnect brake hydraulic line to caliper).
- Secure brake caliper to body with wire.
- Pull ABS wheel speed sensor wiring out of retainer on brake caliper.
- Remove brake disc





- Remove bolts -1- for splash plate.
- Pull ABS wheel speed sensor from swing arm/wheel bearing housing.
- Remove nuts -2- and -3-.





- Pull out rubber grommet -1- and separate connector -2-.
- Pull ABS wheel speed sensor wiring from retainers (arrows).
- Guide wiring through opening in swing arm/wheel bearing housing and remove.

Note: Do not damage the rubber grommet!





- Remove bolt -3- and nut -4-.
- Pull out tie rod end.
- Remove nut from locating control arm ball joint.





- Press locating control arm ball joint out of tapered seat.

CAUTION: Take suitable precautions to avoid damaging the joint boot.

- Loosen support control arm ball joint nut, do not remove completely.





- Press support control arm ball joint out of tapered seat.

CAUTION: Take suitable precautions to avoid damaging the joint boot.





- Remove nut -1-, remove bolt and pull both control arms -2- out in an upward direction.

CAUTION: The slits in the swing arm/wheel bearing housing must not be widened using a chisel or similar tool.

- Move swing arm/wheel bearing housing away to side in direction of arrow and pull axle shaft out of wheel hub.
- Remove nut from support control arm ball joint.
- Remove swing arm/wheel bearing housing.

Installing
- Install swing arm/wheel bearing housing into pins of support and locating control arms.
- Install new self-locking nut and tighten to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.).

Note: Counter-hold joint pins with a 4 mm hex key if necessary

- Slide axle shaft outer joint into wheel hub and tighten new bolt hand tight.
- Insert both upper control arm ball joints into swing arm/wheel bearing housing.
- Install new self-locking nuts and tighten to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).

Note: When tightening press upper arms downward as far as possible.

- Install tie rod.
- Tighten bolt to 7 Nm (62 inch lbs.).
- Install new self-locking nut and tighten to 45 Nm (33 ft. lbs.).
- Install ABS wheel speed sensor.
- Install cover plate and tighten to 10 Nm (7 ft. lbs.).
- Install brake disc
- Install brake caliper and tighten to 125 Nm (92 ft. lbs.).
- Install wheel and tighten to 120 Nm (89 ft. lbs.).
- Tighten axle shaft bolt.

WARNING: The axle shaft bolt must be loosened or tightened only with the vehicle standing on its wheels.

Tightening torque:
M14 bolt: 115 Nm (85 ft. lbs.) + 180° further.
M16 bolt: 190 Nm (140 ft. lbs.) + 180° further.

Note: Checking and adjusting the front wheel alignment must be done on a Volkswagen recommended alignment stand