Removal of Transverse Suspension Arm

PROCEDURE

All self-locking nuts must be replaced, as well as the bolts connecting the transverse suspension arm mounts and the axle beam.

The transverse suspension arm can be removed either together with the axle joint or without it. The previous section describes which bolts must be loosened in each case.

Unscrew the nuts of the inner bushings of the transverse suspension arm mount.

If the inner bearings of the transverse suspension arm are already worn, it is better to press in new ones (in a workshop) before installing the arm.

Installation: secure the transverse suspension arm on the outside of the wheel hub bearing housing or on the independent suspension joint. Torque values are given in the previous section.

Tighten the nuts of the inner transverse suspension arm bearings loosely at first. Tighten them fully only when the vehicle is standing on its wheels. Otherwise the transverse arm bearings may be misaligned.

Tightening torques for the inner transverse suspension arm bearing nuts: first 40 N·m, then turn an additional 1/4 turn (90°).

The arrow points to the lower retaining bolt under the rear strut on front-wheel-drive models.

Upper rear axle strut mount on front-wheel-drive models. The arrows point to the four strut retaining bolts; number (1) indicates the strut itself.