Removing and installing rear axle, front-wheel drive, only Passat GTE — VW

🧭 Before you start

Raise the car, remove the wheels and disconnect the ABS sensors, parking brake motors and level sender, then take out the springs. Hang the brake calipers on the body, remove the rear silencer and any underbody cladding, strap the car to the lift and lower the heat shield. Support the fuel tank with tensioning belts, fix the subframe position, mark the mounting brackets and remove the bolts. Lower the subframe a maximum of 30 mm, unclip the brake line and lower it fully, then check whether wheel alignment is needed after refitting.

Fits: VW Passat B8 (3G, 2014–)

Don't miss

• Strap the vehicle to the lift with T10038 before removing the subframe bolts; it can slip off otherwise.
• Mark the mounting bracket position on the body so the axle goes back where it was.
• Don't open the brake lines; tie the calipers to the body with the lines connected.
• The brake line clips break on removal and must be renewed.
• Lower the subframe only 30 mm at first, then unclip the brake line before going further.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

📋 Procedure

1. Loosen wheel bolts.
2. Raise vehicle.
3. Remove wheels.
4. Unplug electrical connector (1) from ABS speed sensor on both sides and move clear.
5. Unplug electrical connector (2) from electromechanical parking brake motor on brake caliper on both sides.

6. Detach wiring harness from retainers (arrows) and move clear.
7. Disconnect connector (1), and unclip line from retainer.
8. Remove bolts (2).
9. Remove rear left vehicle level sender G76(3) from transverse link.
10. Remove springs .
11. Pull out retaining clip (1) on both sides of vehicle.
12. Free brake lines from holder. [Note: Do not open brake line.]
13. Remove brake calipers on both sides and tie to body with brake lines connected Brake system46Rear brakes; Assembly overview - rear brakes.
14. Remove rear silencer of exhaust system 26Exhaust pipes/silencers; Assembly overview - silencer.
15. If fitted, remove underbody cladding on mounting bracket of trailing arm General body repairs, exterior66Underbody cladding; Assembly overview - underbody cladding.
16. Use tensioning straps T10038 to strap vehicle to support beams of lifting platform on both sides.
17. ⚠ If the vehicle is not strapped down, there is a great danger that the vehicle will slip off the lifting platform! — Remove nuts (arrows) and lower heat shield (1).
18. Insert hooks10-222A/20(1) in openings in longitudinal members (arrow) on both sides of vehicle.
19. Pull tensioning belt T10523(2) through a hook.
20. Guide tensioning belt T10523(1) under retainers (arrows).
21. Pull tensioning belt T10523 through the two hooks and secure the fuel tank.
22. Fix position of subframe .
23. Unclip electrical wire (2) on mounting bracket (1) and move clear.
24. Mark installation position of mounting bracket (1) on body.
25. Remove bolts (arrows).
26. Carefully lower subframe with attachments a maximum of 30 mm.
27. Unclip brake line from clips (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.The number of clips may vary.]
28. Lower subframe with attachments. [Note: When lowering, ensure sufficient clearance to brake lines and electrical wiring.]
29. When does wheel alignment have to be checked ?

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