Front Axle On All Vehicles

For all corresponding components listed below:

• You should not feel or see any play.
• Ball joint boots can usually be recognized by leaking lubrication.
• Driveshaft boots can usually be recognized by leaking lubrication.
• The guide link with a conventional rubber bushing was replaced by a guide link with a hydraulic rubber bushing in MY 2010 as a running change. It is not permissible to install guide links with different rubber bushings on an axle: refer to the Electronic Parts Information.(ETKA).

-- Check tie rod joint boots -2- for damage and proper seating.

Fig 1: Check Play By Moving Tie Rods And Wheels

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-- Check the control arm rod joint boots -arrows- for damage all the way around and proper seating.

Fig 2: Check All Around Ball Joint Boots

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-- Check the control arm ball joint boots -arrows- for damage all the way around and proper seating.

Fig 3: Checking For Play

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-- Check the relative movement -direction of arrow- of the wheel bearing housing to the control arm -arrow- while the wheels are unloaded.

Fig 4: Checking Relative Movement Between Wheel Bearing Housing And Control Arm And Guide Link

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-- Check the coupling rod -1- for play and damage.

Fig 5: Checking Coupling Rod, Control Arm, Guide Link And Rubber Bushing For Play And Damage

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-- Check the control arm, the guide link and the rubber bushing -arrows- all the way around for play and damage.

-- Check the steering gear ball joint boots -arrows- and the driveshafts all the way around.

Fig 6: CHECKING JOINT BOOTS

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