Rear Final Drive Front Bearing, Replacing, AWD Vehicles: Removing

Vehicles with Steel Suspension 

-- Remove the coil springs, refer to Removing .

Vehicles with Air Suspension 

-- Bleed the rear axle air spring, refer to SYSTEM, VENTING OR FILLING .

Continuation for All Vehicles 

Fig 1: Stone Deflectors

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-- Remove the underbody covers -1 and 2-, refer to Underbody Trim Panel .

-- Remove the diagonal braces, if equipped, refer to Removing .

-- Remove the stone protection plate -2-, where applicable.

Fig 2: Stone Protection Plate

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-- Place the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS6931 under the subframe -1-.

Fig 3: Placing A Block Of Wood Under Subframe

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-- Place a wood block -2- under the subframe -1-.

-- Remove the left and right bolts -arrow-.

Fig 4: Left And Right Bolts

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-- Install the Subframe Lowering Tool T40253 with the thrust bearing from the Subframe Bushing Tool Kit3301 and the Subframe Lowering Tool - Nut T40253/1, as illustrated, on the opposite side of the bonded rubber bushing being replaced approximately 1.5 cm into the vehicle body.

Fig 5: Bushing Tool & Lowering Tool

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1. Subframe Bushing Tool Kit 3301
2. Subframe Lowering Tool - Nut T40253/1
3. Subframe Lowering Tool T40253

-- Remove the bolt -2-.

Fig 6: Locating Bolt

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-- Lower the subframe 4 cm only.

-- Push the final drive upward over the drive axle -1-. At the same time insert the Press Piece - Front Final Drive Bushing - Thrust Piece T40186/1 and the Hydraulic Press - Ball Joint Assembly Tools - Spindle T10254/5 with the Hydraulic Press - Ball Joint Assembly Tools- Nut T10254/4. (A second technician is needed).

4 - Hydraulic Press - Ball Joint Assembly Tools - Spindle T10254/5 The spindle pins face downward.

5 - Hydraulic Press - Ball Joint Assembly Tools - Nut T10254/4

6 - Thrust Piece T40186/1

-- When removing or installing the rubber bonded bushing, make sure the spindle -4- does not contact the threaded hole -3- in the final drive.

The hold drilled into the inner core of the bonded rubber bushing may prevent the Spindle T10254/5 from sliding through. If this is the case, it must be drilled out.

-- Position the drill -1- on the bonded rubber bushing -2- as illustrated and drill the hole in several steps.

Fig 7: Position Drill On The Bonded Rubber Bushing As Illustrated And Drill The Hole

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Step 1, 11 mm drill bit

Step 2, 11.5 mm drill bit

3. Step, 12 mm drill bit

-- If necessary, remove the Pressure Head T10205/13 and in its place install the support with the >>small<< inner diameter -arrow- from the Hydraulic Press VAS6178.

Fig 8: Support -Arrow- And VAS 6178

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-- Place the tools on the front bonded rubber bushing as shown in the illustration.

Fig 9: Placing Tools On Front Bonded Rubber Bushing

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1. Hydraulic Press - Ball Joint Assembly Tools - Nut T10254/4
2. Thrust Piece T40186/1
3. Subframe
4. Rear Bushing Tool - Tube T40033/3
5. Bearing Installer - Wheel Hub/Bearing Kit - 4T10205/4
6. Hydraulic Press VAS6178
7. Hydraulic Press - Ball Joint Assembly Tools - Nut T10254/4
8. Hydraulic Press - Ball Joint Assembly Tools - Spindle T10254/5 The spindle pins face downward.