Ball Joint, Removing And Installing: Removing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas. 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 DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

CAUTION:

Do not load the wheel bearing if the wheel-side drive axle threaded connection 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.

Vehicles with Level Control System Sensor

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-- Remove the nut -1-.

-- Remove the bracket -2- for the Left Front Level Control System Sensor -G78- or Right Front Level Control Sensor -G289- from the control arm -3-.

Continuation for All Vehicles

-- 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 the drive axle can be pushed out of the wheel bearing using the :T10520 .

Before using the :T10520 , make sure that the thrust piece -1- is installed.

Fig 2: Locating Thrust Piece

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Using the :T10520 :

Fig 3: Identifying Remover T10520

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-- Secure the :T10520 -1- with three wheel bolts -2- on the wheel hub, so that the drive axle -3- can be pressed out.

-- Follow the specified sequence exactly.

Fig 4: Drive Axle Loosening Sequence

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I - Tighten the knurled nut -1- hand-tight.

II - Only turn the bolt -2- using a wrench and press out the drive axle using the :T10520 .

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 the thread, screw the nut on the pin several turns.

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

:3287A