Front Suspension

Ball joint, removing and installing





Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
^ Press tool 3283
^ Ball joint puller 3287 A
^ Engine and transmission jack V.A.G. 1 383 A
^ Angle wrench V.A.G. 1 756

Removing
- Lift vehicle until the load on the front axle is relieved.
- Loosen 1 2-point nut.
- Remove wheel.
- Remove noise insulation.





- Mark installation position of bolts from ball joint to control arm.
- Remove bolts - Arrows - .





- Press out axle shaft. Install tool as shown in illustration.

Note: When pressing axle shaft out ensure sufficient clearance is available.

- Pull wheel bearing housing with ball joint out from control arm.





- Swing wheel with suspension strut outward and support e.g. with a piece of wood -1 - - to do this pull axle shaft out from the wheel bearing.
- Secure axle shaft to body with wire.
- The axle shaft must not hang down!
- The inner joint will be damaged through over flexing.





- Loosen nut from ball joint.
- Install ball joint puller as shown in illustration and press out ball joint.

Note:
^ Place engine/transmission jack V.A. G1383/A, or similar, underneath to ensure safety (danger of accident through falling parts when pressing out the ball joint).
^ To protect ball joint threads and for safety reasons /cave nut on a few turns.

Installing





- Install ball joint in wheel bearing housing.
- Install new self-locking nut, and counter-hold with T40 Torx bit.
1 - Torx bit T40
2 - Ring wrench insert or slotted ring wrench insert - Fig. V40-1323
3 - V.A.G. 1331
- Install axle shaft.





- Secure ball joint to control arm (bolts on old marks).

Use new bolts!
1 - Box wrench insert (commercial type, 18 mm)
2 - Open end wrench insert (commercial type, 18 mm)

Note: Check boot for damage or twisting.

- Install and fasten wheel
- Tighten 12-point nut or hex bolt.

Fastener/location Tightening torques
Ball joint to control arm Use new bolts! 20 Nm plus an additional 1/4 turn (90°)
Ball joint to wheel bearing housing 45 Nm