Wheel Bearing Housing, Removing And Installing: Removing
-- Remove the drive axle bolt. Refer to DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .
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.
-- Remove the brake caliper and tie it to the vehicle body with wire. Refer to OVERVIEW - FRONT BRAKES .
-- Remove the ABS speed sensor. Refer to RIGHT FRONT ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR -G45- /LEFT FRONT ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR -G47-, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
-- Remove the brake rotor. Refer to OVERVIEW - FRONT BRAKES .
-- Remove and free up the brake line bracket and electrical wires from the wheel bearing housing.
-- Remove the cover plate -1- from the wheel bearing housing -arrow-.
-- Loosen the nut from the tie rod end, but do not remove it yet.
To protect the thread, screw the nut on the pin several turns.
-- Remove the tie rod from the wheel bearing housing and remove the nut.
- :T10187
Vehicles with Level Control System Sensor
-- 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
-- Loosen the nuts -arrows-.
-- Remove the control arm from the ball joint.
-- Remove the drive axle outer joint from 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.
Using the :T10520 :
-- 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.
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 .
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.
-- Secure the drive axle to the body using a wire.
-- Place the : VAS6931 or :VAG1383A under the wheel bearing housing.
-- Remove the threaded connection on the wheel bearing housing/suspension strut -arrow-.
-- Insert :3424 into the wheel bearing housing.
Pay attention that the :3424 is only inserted in the wheel bearing housing. Only insert it far enough that the suspension strut metal retainer is not damaged.
-- Turn the ratchet 90° and remove it from the :3424 .
-- Remove the wheel bearing housing from the suspension strut.
If the wheel bearing housing is being replaced, then the ball joint must also be replaced. New nuts must be used.