Trapezoidal control arm, removing and installing

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required 

• Torque wrench V.A.G 1331
• Torque wrench V.A.G 1332

Removing 

• Remove underbody trim in front of trapezoidal control arm.

Convertible only 

Fig 1: Identifying Diagonal Braces

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• Remove diagonal braces - 1  - and - 2  - → Diagonal braces .

Continued for all vehicles 

• Remove coil spring → Rear coil spring .

Vehicles with heavy duty suspension 

• Remove stone protection from trapezoidal control arm.

Continued for all vehicles 

• Disengage parking brake cable from bracket under trapezoidal control arm. Loosen bolts to do this.

Fig 2: Removing/Installing Bolts With Angled Wrench

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• Remove bolt - 1  - on vehicles with headlight range control.

Fig 3: Identifying Speed Sensor Cable Guide, Bolts & Trapezoidal Control Arm

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• Remove speed sensor cable guide - 2  - Speed sensor wire routing on trapezoidal control arm 
• Remove bolt - 1  -. Counterhold joint with open-end wrench.
• Mark eccentric bolt - 5  - to subframe.
• Loosen trapezoidal control arm (items 3 to 6).

Vehicles with all-wheel drive 

• Remove drive shaft from rear final drive. → 39 - FINAL DRIVE, DIFFERENTIAL
• Secure drive shaft to body with wire.
• Remove strut from wheel bearing housing.
• Disengage parking brake cable at fuel tank.

• Remove brake caliper. → 46 - BRAKES - MECHANICAL COMPONENTS
• Remove right drive axle cover (remove right trapezoidal control arm).
• Lower subframe slightly → Subframe, removing and installing .

Vehicles with front wheel drive, removing left trapezoidal control arm 

• Remove heat shield from body eccentric bolt and press to side.

Vehicles with front wheel drive, removing right trapezoidal control arm 

• Remove strut from wheel bearing housing.
• Remove brake caliper. → 46 - BRAKES - MECHANICAL COMPONENTS
• Lower subframe slightly → Subframe, removing and installing .

Continued for all vehicles 

Fig 4: Identifying Speed Sensor Cable Guide, Bolts & Trapezoidal Control Arm

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• Remove trapezoidal control arm (items 3 to 6).

Installing 

Replace bolts and self-locking nuts → Notes in exploded view diagrams at → Part I, Subframe - front wheel drive .

• Install subframe → Subframe, removing and installing .
• Install strut → Strut .
• Install brake caliper. → 46 - BRAKES - MECHANICAL COMPONENTS
• Install drive shaft to rear final drive. →39 - FINAL DRIVE, DIFFERENTIAL

• Install driveshaft shield.

Bonded rubber bushings have a limited torsional range. Only tighten threaded connections at links if vehicle is in curb weight position → Wheel bearing, lifting to curb weight position 

Fig 5: Identifying Speed Sensor Cable Guide, Bolts & Trapezoidal Control Arm

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• Tighten threaded connections - 3  - , - 4  - and - 6  - → Part III, Trapezoidal control arm, transverse link, tie rod .
• Tighten nut - 5  - (bring eccentric bolt into previous position).
• Install speed sensor cable guide - 2  - Speed sensor wire routing on trapezoidal control arm 
• Tighten bolt - 1  -.

• Install coil spring → Rear coil spring .
• Engage parking brake cable in bracket.

Fig 6: Removing/Installing Bolts With Angled Wrench

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• Tighten bolt - 1  - on vehicles with headlight range control :
• Perform vehicle alignment → Wheel alignment .

Alignment must take place on a VW/Audi recommended alignment stand.

Vehicles with heavy duty suspension 

• Install stone protection and tighten bolts.

Convertible only 

Fig 7: Identifying Diagonal Braces

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• Install diagonal braces - 1  - and - 2  - → Diagonal braces .

Continued for all vehicles 

• Install underbody trim.