Volkswagen Golf Service & Repair Manual: Removing and installing rear axle, multi-link suspension, four-wheel drive

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Torque wrench -V.A.G 1332-

Engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A-

Tensioning strap -T10038-

Locating pins -T10486-

Removing subframe with attachments

Loosen wheel bolts.
Raise vehicle.
Remove rear wheels.

Unplug electrical connector -1- from ABS speed sensor on both sides and move clear.
Unplug electrical connector -2- from electromechanical parking brake motor on brake caliper on both sides.
Detach electrical wiring harness from retainers -arrows- and move clear.

Vehicles with vehicle level sender

Disconnect connector -1-.
Remove bolts -2-.
Take rear left vehicle level sender -G76--3- off transverse link.

Continuation for all vehicles

Remove springs → Chapter.

Unscrew nut -1- and remove bolt -2-.

Pull out retaining clip -1- on both sides of vehicle.
Free brake lines from holder.

Note

Do not open brake line.

Disconnect propshaft from rear final drive, and secure it → Rep. gr.39.
Remove brake calipers on both sides and tie to body with brake lines connected → Brake system; Rep. gr.46.
Remove rear silencer of exhaust system → Rep. gr.26.

Use tensioning straps -T10038--1- to strap vehicle to support beams of lifting platform on both sides.

WARNING If the vehicle is not strapped down, there is a great danger that the vehicle will slip off the lifting platform!

Fix position of subframe → Chapter.
Unclip electrical wire -2- on mounting bracket -1- and move clear.
Mark installation position of mounting bracket -1- on body.

Remove bolts -arrows-.
Carefully lower subframe with attachments about 20 mm.
Disconnect connector on Haldex coupling above final drive.
Carefully lower subframe with attachments 30 mm further.

Note When lowering components, make sure there is enough clearance for brake lines, electrical wiring and propshaft centring pin.

Unclip brake lines from clips on both sides -arrows-.

Note

The clips will be destroyed and must be renewed.

For reasons of clarity, the illustration shows the subframe from above in removed state.

Carefully lower subframe with attachments.

Note When lowering, ensure sufficient clearance to brake lines, electrical cables and centring pin to propshaft.

Installing subframe with attachments

Install in reverse order of removal, observing the following:

Specified torques

→ Chapter „Assembly overview - subframe, multi-link suspension, four-wheel drive“

→ Chapter „Assembly overview - trailing arm“

→ Chapter „Assembly overview - suspension strut, shock absorber, spring, multi-link suspension“ → Chapter „Assembly overview - rear vehicle level senders, multi-link suspension, front-wheel drive“

→ Chapter „Torque settings for wheel bolts“

Propshaft → Rep. gr.39.

Bolts for brake caliper and brake disc → Brake system; Rep. gr.46

Exhaust pipes double clamp → Rep. gr.26.

On vehicles with vehicle level sender, carry out basic settings for wheel damper electronics → Vehicle diagnostic tester On vehicles with vehicle level sender, carry out basic adjustment of headlights → Electrical system; Rep. gr.94.

When does wheel alignment have to be checked → Chapter?

Removing and installing rear axle, multi-link suspension, four-wheel drive