Volkswagen Golf / Golf GTI / Golf Variant. Manual - part 819

– Install the exhaust system bracket from the subframe

-arrows-.

Further installation is the reverse order of removal. Note the fol‐

lowing:

Note

♦

The level control system sensor lever must point toward vehi‐

cle exterior.

♦

The thread on the vehicle level sensor must be installed into

the exterior hole in the control arm. The tab on the vehicle level

sensor bracket must lock into the inner hole in order to assure

a correct installation position.

– For vehicles with a level control system sensor, perform the

basic setting for the wheel damping electronics using the

⇒ Vehicle diagnostic tester.

Tightening Specifications
♦ Refer to

⇒ “4.1 Overview - Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint”,

page 54

♦ Refer to

⇒ “2.1 Overview - Front Level Control System Sensor”,

page 277

♦ Refer to

⇒ “1.1 Wheel Bolt Tightening Specifications”, page 286

♦ Pendulum support bolts. Refer to ⇒  Rep. Gr.  10 ; Subframe

Mount; Overview - Subframe Mount .

♦ Noise insulation bolts. Refer to ⇒  Body Exterior; Rep. Gr.  66 ;

Noise Insulation; Overview - Noise Insulation .

♦ Double clamp for exhaust pipes. Refer to ⇒  Rep. Gr.  26 ;

Exhaust Pipes/Mufflers; Overview - Muffler .

♦ Exhaust system to subframe. Refer to ⇒  Rep. Gr.  26 ; Exhaust

Pipes/Mufflers; Overview - Muffler .

4.3

Ball Joint, Checking

Axial Play, Checking
– Forcefully pull control arm down in direction of -arrow- and

press up again.

Radial Clearance, Checking
– Forcefully push lower part of wheel inward and outward in di‐

rection of -arrow-.

Note

♦

There should not be any noticeable or visible “play” in either

of the two checks.

♦

Observe lower ball joint while performing checks.

♦

Make allowance for any wheel bearing play or “play” in strut

mounting at top.

♦

Check rubber boot for damage, replace lower ball joint, if nec‐

essary.

4.4

Ball Joint, Removing and Installing

Special tools and workshop equipment required
♦ Puller - Ball Joint - 3287A-
♦ Digital Torque Wrench - VAG1756A-
♦ Torque Wrench 1332 Insert - Ring Wrench - 18mm -

VAG1332/10-

♦ Drive Shaft Remover - T10520-
♦ Torx Key Socket Set - VAG1603A-
Removing
– Loosen drive axle bolt on the wheel hub. Refer to

⇒ “6.4 Drive Axle Threaded Connection, Loosening and Tight‐

ening”, page 101

 .

Caution

The wheel bearing must not be under load when 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.

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

– Remove the nuts -arrows-.
– 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.

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- .

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.

Caution

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

– Remove the ball joint from the wheel bearing housing. Then

remove the nut and the ball joint -2-.

1 - -3287A-
Installing
Install in reverse order of removal while noting the following:
– Insert ball joint into wheel bearing housing.
– Install drive axle in wheel hub.
– Install the new self-locking nut while counterholding using -

T40- from the TORX

®

 ( -VAG1603A- ).