SUBFRAME With Steering Gear, Removing And Installing: Removing
The following information describes the removing and installing on the left side of the vehicle as an example.
-- Turn the steering wheel in the straight position.
-- Switch the ignition off and open the driver door so the steering wheel lock engages.
-- Disconnect the battery. Refer to BATTERY, DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING .
-- Remove the driver side instrument panel cover. Refer to DRIVER SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
-- Fold back the carpet.
-- Remove the bolt -1- from the universal joint -2-. Then remove the universal joint in -direction of arrow-.
If the universal joint is separated from the steering gear, the following work cannot be performed:
- Connect the battery.
- Switch the ignition on.
- Turn the steering gear.
- Turn the steering column.
These points must be observed since performing these actions could cause irreparable damage.
-- Loosen the wheel bolts.
-- Raise the vehicle.
-- Remove the wheels.
-- Remove the lower noise insulation. Refer to OVERVIEW - NOISE INSULATION .
-- Remove the exhaust system bracket from the subframe -arrows-.
-- Remove the pendulum support bolts -1-.
-- Remove the hex nut -1- from the right and left coupling rod -3-.
-- Remove the coupling rod -3- from the stabilizer bar -2- on the left and right sides.
-- Remove the nuts -arrows- on the left and right side of the vehicle.
-- Remove the control arm from the ball joint.
-- Loosen the nut from the tie rod end, but do not remove it yet.
There is a risk of damaging the wheel bearing housing with loosened bushings if the ball joint puller is positioned incorrectly.
The ball joint puller must be supported on the bushing and not on the wheel bearing housing.
-- Remove the tie rod end from the wheel bearing housing and remove the nut.
- Puller - Ball Joint:T10187
Vehicles with Level Control System Sensor
-- Disconnect the connector -1- from the Left Front Level Control System Sensor -G78- or Right Front Level Control Sensor -G289-.
Continuation for all vehicles
-- Disconnect the connector -1- for the Oil Level Thermal Sensor -G266-.
-- If equipped, disconnect the connector -2- from the After-Run Coolant Pump -V51-. To do so, open the catch -3- in the -direction of the arrow- and release the connector.
-- Remove the clips -1- and -2- for the wiring harness -3- from the subframe and the steering gear.
-- Position the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS 6931 -1- under the subframe.
-- Secure the subframe (refer to SUBFRAME, SECURING ) and lower it approximately 10 cm.
Vehicles with Long Heat Shield:
-- Remove the bolts -arrows- and remove the heat shield -1- from the steering gear.
Different heat shields -1- are installed depending on the engine. On some engine versions, the connectors for the steering gear are accessible without having to remove the heat shield.
-- Disconnect the connectors -1- and -2- from the steering gear.
-- Unclip the wiring harness -1- from the steering gear -2- -arrows-.
-- Remove the expanding clip -arrow-.
-- Lower the subframe using the engine and gearbox jack.
-- Secure the subframe to the engine and gearbox jack -A- with the accompanying strap.