Trapezoidal Control Arm, Removing and Installing

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

Fig 1: Torque Wrench V.A.G. 1332

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Torque wrench V.A.G 1332

Fig 2: Torque Wrench V.A.G 1783

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Torque wrench V.A.G 1783

Removing

Place vehicle on a hoist → Positioning Vehicle on Hoist and Wheels .
Remove wheel covers, remove cover cap on light-alloy wheels (removal hook in vehicle tool kit).

Fig 3: Level Control System Sensor Bolt, Nut & Brake Line Bracket & Air Spring Damper/Transverse Link Bolt

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Remove bolt - 1 - from level control system sensor.
Remove brake line bracket - 2 -.
Remove air spring damper on transverse link and tilt it back (control position) → Wheel Bearing Housing, Raising to Control Position to Tighten Bolts .
Lower wheel bearing housing.

Fig 4: Brake Caliper Wiring Harness Connector & Connector

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Remove brake caliper wiring harness connector - 1 - from the retainer and disconnect it.
Remove brake caliper and secure it on the body → 46 - BRAKES - MECHANICAL COMPONENTS .

NOTE:

Secure brake caliper to body with wire.
Do not allow brake caliper to hang from brake line.

Remove brake pads from the brake carrier.

Fig 5: Coupling Bolt & Brake Line Bracket

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Disconnect threaded connection - 1 - between the coupling rod and trapezoidal control arm and remove brake line bracket - 2 -.
To remove bolt from connecting link, push wheel bearing housing downward.

Fig 6: Brake Carrier & Upper Bolts

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Remove brake carrier - 1 - and brake disc.

Fig 7: Cover & Bolts

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Remove bolts - 1 - through - 3 - from cover - 4 - and remove cover.

Fig 8: Identifying Connection Nuts, Lower Control Arm, And Screw

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Remove threaded connection nuts - 1 - through - 4 - from trapezoidal control arm - 6 -.
Remove bolt - 5 - from trapezoidal control arm/coupling rod.
Raise wheel bearing housing to the control position to continue removing the bolts → Wheel Bearing Housing, Raising to Control Position to Tighten Bolts .
First remove bolt - 3 - and bolt - 4 -.

Remove trapezoidal control arm downward from mounts on the subframe and tilt it downward.

Fig 9: Disengaging/Engaging Trapezoidal Control Arm

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Disengage trapezoidal control arm - 1 - from the coupling rod - 2 - and remove bolt - 3 -.

Installing

First tighten bolts/nuts on components with bonded rubber bushings by hand. Raise wheel bearing housing to tighten bolts/nuts → Wheel Bearing Housing, Raising to Control Position to Tighten Bolts .

Fig 10: Disengaging/Engaging Trapezoidal Control Arm

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Engage trapezoidal control arm - 1 - in the wheel bearing housing and coupling rod - 2 - and insert bolt - 3 -.
Tilt trapezoidal control arm upward and press it into the mounts on the subframe.

Fig 11: Identifying Connection Nuts, Lower Control Arm, And Screw

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

First insert bolt - 3 - and then bolt - 4 -.

NOTE:

To insert bolt, holes in bracket must be aligned with subframe.

Pull tie rod downward and insert bolt - 5 - in trapezoidal control arm and coupling rod.

NOTE:

To insert bolt, trapezoidal control arm holes must be aligned with connecting link.

Tighten threaded connections - 1 - through - 5 - for trapezoidal control arm - 6 - in control position. Torque specifications → Rear Suspension Components, Assembly Overview .

Fig 12: Cover & Bolts

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Tighten cover - 4 - with bolts - 1 - through - 3 -.

NOTE:

The bolts - 2 - and - 3 - secure the wiring harness bracket located behind the cover plate on the wheel bearing housing.

Install brake carrier and brake caliper on the wheel bearing housing → 46 - BRAKES - MECHANICAL COMPONENTS .
Follow the instructions for further assembly → Working after adjusting control position .
Place vehicle on wheels → Positioning Vehicle on Hoist and Wheels .
Perform vehicle alignment → Wheel Alignment .