Ball Joint: Removing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle, 2015 Volkswagen Beetle, 2014 Volkswagen Beetle, and 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

-- Loosen drive axle bolt on the wheel hub. Refer to THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

CAUTION:

The wheel bearing must not be under a load while the drive axle threaded connection on the wheel side is loose.

If the wheel bearings are under the load of the vehicle weight, the wheel bearing will be damaged. This reduces the service life of the wheel bearings.

The drive axle bolt may be loosened maximum 90° when the vehicle is standing on its wheels.

Vehicles without a drive axle must not be moved, otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged. If a vehicle must be moved, be sure to note the following:

Install an outer joint in place of the drive axle.
Tighten the outer joint to 120 Nm.

-- Loosen the wheel bolts.

-- Raise the vehicle.

-- Remove the wheel.

-- Remove the nuts -arrows-.

Fig 1: Identifying Nuts -Arrows- On Left And Right Side Of Vehicle, Removal

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-- Pull the drive axle slightly off the wheel hub.

If the Drive Axle Cannot Be Pulled Out of the Wheel Bearing, Then it Can Be Pushed Out of the Wheel Bearing Using the RemoverT10520.

Before using the RemoverT10520 pay attention that the thrust piece -1- is installed.

Fig 2: Locating Thrust Piece

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Using the RemoverT10520:

Fig 3: Identifying Remover T10520

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-- Secure the RemoverT10520 -1- with three wheel bolts -2- on the wheel hub, so that the drive axle -3- can be pressed out.

-- Follow the specified sequence.

Fig 4: Identifying Tightening Sequence

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I -

Tighten the knurled nut -1- hand-tight.

II -

Turn only the bolt -2- with a wrench and press out the drive axle with the RemoverT10520.

NOTE:

At the end of the tasks or to set back, the spindles must be brought back into the original position so that the hydraulic operation can be used.

-- Remove the control arm from the ball joint.

-- Move the control arm downward as much as needed.

-- Loosen the nut on the ball joint -2- but do not remove it.

Fig 5: Identifying Ball Joint Puller

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CAUTION:

To protect thread, screw nut on pin a few turns.

-- Remove the ball joint from the wheel bearing housing. Then remove the nut and the ball joint -2-.

Ball Joint Puller3287A