Contents: FWD models ⬇ AWD models ⬇
FWD models
1. Remove the rear wheels and the rear part of the exhaust system (see Chapter 4).
2. Remove the rear suspension springs (see Section 12).
3. If there is a suspension height sensor, disconnect its wiring connector (1 on the accompanying illustration) and loosen the holder (3) of the electrical wiring.
9.3 Connector (1) and fasteners (2) of the rear suspension height sensor
4. Disconnect the rear ABS wheel sensor connectors (1 in illustration 3.19 Chapter 8).
5. Release the wiring from the bracket (see accompanying illustration).
9.5 ABS sensor wire on bracket
6. On each side of the car, press the lever (2 on the accompanying illustration) in the direction of the arrow and unhook the parking brake cables (3). Loosen the cable clamps (1) on the brackets.
9.6 Disconnecting the parking brake cable
7. Release the parking brake cables from the brackets (3 in illustration 3.23 Chapter 8) on the longitudinal levers and pull out the cables.
8. Unscrew the lower shock absorber mounting bolts (arrow in illustration 3.19 Chapter 8).
9. Remove the retainers (1 on the accompanying illustration) brake lines.
9.9 Brake line clamps
10. Remove the brake calipers (see Chapter 9), without disconnecting the brake hoses from them, and hang them on the body parts on a wire so that the brake hoses are not strained.
11. Mark the installation position of the trailing arm brackets relative to the body and unscrew the bolts (arrows in the accompanying illustration).
9.11 Bracket bolts
12. Secure the vehicle to the lift legs with T10038 straps (see illustration 2.3) and install the VAG1383/A transmission jack with the VAG1359/2 universal support under the subframe, placing a wooden block between them (see accompanying illustration). Secure the subframe to the jack.
9.12 Installing a jack under the rear subframe
13. Remove the bolts (1 or 2 on the accompanying illustration) on both sides.
9.13 Subframe mounting bolts (left side)
14. Fix the position of the subframe by screwing in two centering pins T10096 (see accompanying illustration) with a force of no more than 20 Nm. Unscrew the two remaining subframe bolts (see illustration 9.13) and carefully lower it about 30mm, watching the brake lines and wiring.
9.14 Fixing the subframe position
15. Release the brake line from the holders on the subframe and lower it together with the connected suspension parts.
16. Installation is carried out in the reverse order. Finally, carry out a road test (see Chapter 1), check the position of the steering wheel and adjust the rear wheel alignment angles (see Part D).
AWD models
17. Follow the steps described in paragraphs 1-11.
18. Disconnect the electrical wiring connector (2 in illustration 9.3 Chapter 8) Haldex clutch control unit between the rear suspension and the body.
19. Check that there are color marks on the flexible disk of the cardan shaft and on the flange of the Haldex coupling (see illustration 7.9 Chapter 8). If necessary, apply these marks. Unscrew the bolts securing the propeller shaft to the Haldex coupling flange (see illustration 7.10 Chapter 8).
20. Loosen the propeller shaft center bearing bolts by two turns (see illustration 7.11 Chapter 8) and secure the shaft by placing a wooden block between it and the crossbar of the central tunnel (see accompanying illustration). Pull the driveshaft forward as far as possible.
9.20 Block between the propeller shaft and the cross member
21. Secure the car to the lift legs with straps (see illustration 2.3).
22. Install the VAG1383/A transmission jack with the VAG1359/2 universal support under the subframe, placing a wooden block between them (see illustration 9.12). Secure the subframe to the jack.
23. Remove the bolts (1 and 2 in the accompanying illustration) on both sides.
9.23 Subframe mounting bolts
24. Fix the position of the subframe by alternately screwing in two centering pins T10096 (see illustration 9.14) with a force of no more than 20 Nm. Unscrew the two remaining subframe bolts and carefully lower it by about 30 mm, watching the brake lines and wiring.
25. Release the brake line from the holders on the subframe and lower it together with the connected suspension components.
26. Installation is carried out in the reverse order. Finally, carry out a road test (see Chapter 1), check the position of the steering wheel and adjust the rear wheel alignment angles (see Part D).