Volkswagen Golf Service & Repair Manual: Removing and installing swivel joint

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Ball joint puller -3287 A-

Angle wrench -V.A.G 1756-

Ring spanner insert -V.A.G 1332/10-

Press tool -T10520-

Removing

Loosen drive shaft bolt at wheel hub → Chapter.

Caution Wheel bearings must not be subjected to load after bolt securing drive shaft to wheel hub has been loosened. If wheel bearings are loaded with weight of vehicle, bearing will be damaged. This reduces the service life of the wheel bearing. It is not permissible to loosen drive shaft bolt more than 90° if vehicle is standing on its wheels. Do not attempt to move the vehicle without the drive shafts fitted as this would damage the wheel bearing. If a vehicle nevertheless has to be moved, comply with the following:

Install an outer joint instead of the drive shaft.

Tighten outer joint to 120 N·m.

Loosen wheel bolts.
Raise vehicle.
Remove wheel.

Vehicles with vehicle level sender

Unscrew nut -1-.
Pull bracket -2- for front left vehicle level sender -G78- and/or for front right vehicle level sender -G289- out of suspension link -3-, as applicable

Continuation for all vehicles

Remove nuts -arrows-.
Pull drive shaft slightly out of wheel hub.

If drive shaft cannot be pulled out of the wheel bearing by hand, use press tool -T10520-.

Before using press tool -T10520- ensure that thrust piece -1- is inserted.

Using press tool -T10520-:

To be able to press out drive shaft -3-, secure press tool -T10520--1- to wheel hub using 3 wheel bolts -2-.

It is essential to follow specified sequence.

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

II -	Turn only bolt -2- using a spanner in order to press out drive shaft with press tool -T10520-.

Note At the end of the procedure or for pressing out drive shaft further the spindle must be moved to its original position in order to deploy the hydraulic force!

Pull swivel joint out of suspension link.
Bend suspension link downwards as far as necessary.

Loosen nut from suspension link -2- but do not remove completely.

Caution

Leave nut screwed on a few turns to protect thread on pin.

Press swivel joint off wheel bearing housing using ball joint puller -3287 A--1-.
Unscrew nut, and remove swivel joint -2-.

Installing

Install in reverse order of removal, observing the following:

Fit swivel joint in wheel bearing housing.
Fit drive shaft in wheel hub.
Screw on new self-locking nut and counterhold with Torx key -T40-.

Tighten nuts -arrows-.

Note

Ensure that bellows are not damaged or twisted.

Note

Lever on vehicle level sender must face towards outside of vehicle.

Thread of vehicle level sender must be screwed into outer hole in suspension link. Retaining lug for vehicle level sender must engage in inner hole in order to guarantee correct installation position.

Install wheel and tighten.
Tighten drive shaft bolt at wheel hub → Chapter.

Note During this step, vehicle must not be standing on its wheels or wheel bearing will be damaged.

On vehicles with vehicle level sender, carry out basic settings for wheel damper electronics → Vehicle diagnostic tester.

Removing and installing swivel joint