Repairing subframe, up to Week 26/2012 — VW

🧭 Before you start

Fits: platform code AJ5

• Renewed: subframe securing bolts

Don't miss

• Do not open brake line.
• Only the left side of vehicle is shown to improve clarity.
• The locating pins T10096 may be tightened only to a maximum of 20 Nm; otherwise the threads of the locating pins may be damaged.
• Mark installation position of bonded rubber bush relative to subframe using e.g. a felt tip pen.
• The outer ring of the bush shears off when the bonded rubber bush is pulled out. This occurs with a loud bang.

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 Procedure

1. Remove rear wheels.
2. Remove coil springs .
3. Remove rear silencer of exhaust system 26Exhaust system; Removing and installing parts of the exhaust system.
4. Disconnect electrical connections between rear axle and body.
5. Remove anti-roll bar .

6. Remove track rods .
7. Remove clip (1). [Note: Do not open brake line.]
8. Now strap vehicle to lifting platform arms on both sides of vehicle using tensioning straps T10038.
9. ⚠ If the vehicle is not strapped down, there is a great danger that the vehicle will slip off the lifting platform! — Position engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A with universal gearbox supportV.A.G 1359/2 beneath subframe and secure with strap.
10. Unscrew one hexagon bolt (1) or (2) on both sides. [Note: Only the left side of vehicle is shown to improve clarity.]
11. Fix position of subframe using 2 locating pins T10096 and tighten to 20 Nm. [Note: The locating pins T10096 may be tightened only to a maximum of 20 Nm; otherwise the threads of the locating pins may be damaged.] — 20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
12. Replace subframe securing bolts on both sides one after the other with locating pins T10096 and tighten to 20 Nm. — 20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
13. Lower subframe 10 cm using engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A.
14. Mark installation position of bonded rubber bush relative to subframe using e.g. a felt tip pen.
15. Set up special tools as shown in figure.
16. Take up play in special tools.
17. Pull out bonded rubber bush by actuating pump. [Note: The outer ring of the bush shears off when the bonded rubber bush is pulled out. This occurs with a loud bang.]
18. The bonded rubber bush must be removed from the tube T10356/6 once the bush has been pulled out.
19. Clamp tube T10356/6 on the intended surfaces in a vice.
20. Insert a screwdriver between tube T10356/6 and bonded rubber bush and lever bush out of tube (arrow). If necessary, apply a drift to bush and drive out with light hammer blows.
21. Insert bonded rubber bush (1) in subframe so that the nose and the plate (arrows) face perpendicular to direction of travel.
22. Apply thrust piece T10263/3(2) so that flattened sides also face perpendicular to direction of travel.
23. Set up special tools with bonded rubber bush on subframe as shown.
24. Take up play in special tools and bonded rubber bush.
25. Operate pump to carefully pull bonded rubber bush in until collar lies »flush« on subframe.
26. Install track rods .
27. Install anti-roll bar .
28. Join electrical connections between rear axle and body.
29. Install rear silencer of exhaust system 26Exhaust system; Removing and installing parts of the exhaust system.
30. Install coil springs .
31. Fit rear wheels.
32. Remove rear wheels.
33. Remove coil springs .
34. Remove rear silencer of exhaust system 26Exhaust system; Removing and installing parts of the exhaust system.
35. Remove clip (1). [Note: Do not open brake line.]
36. Now strap vehicle to lifting platform arms on both sides of vehicle using tensioning straps T10038.
37. ⚠ If the vehicle is not strapped down, there is a great danger that the vehicle will slip off the lifting platform! — Position engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A with universal gearbox supportV.A.G 1359/2 beneath subframe and secure with strap.
38. Unscrew one hexagon bolt (1) or (2) on both sides. [Note: Only the left side of vehicle is shown to improve clarity.]
39. Fix position of subframe using locating pins T10096. [Note: The locating pins T10096 may be tightened only to a maximum of 20 Nm; otherwise the threads of the locating pins may be damaged.]
40. Replace subframe securing bolts on both sides one after the other with locating pins T10096 and tighten to 20 Nm. — 20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
41. Lower subframe 10 cm using engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A.
42. Mark installation position of bonded rubber bush relative to subframe using e.g. a felt tip pen.
43. Set up special tools as shown in figure.
44. Take up play in special tools.
45. Pull out bonded rubber bush by actuating pump. [Note: The outer ring of the bush shears off when the bonded rubber bush is pulled out. This occurs with a loud bang.]
46. The bonded rubber bush must be removed from the tube T10356/6 once the bush has been pulled out.
47. Clamp tube T10356/6 on the intended surfaces in a vice.
48. Insert a screwdriver between tube T10356/6 and bonded rubber bush and lever bush out of tube (arrow). If necessary, apply a drift to bush and drive out with light hammer blows.
49. Insert bonded rubber bush (1) in subframe so that the nose and the plate (arrows) face perpendicular to direction of travel.
50. Apply thrust piece T10263/3(2) so that flattened sides also face perpendicular to direction of travel.
51. Set up special tools with bonded rubber bush on subframe as shown.
52. Take up play in special tools and bonded rubber bush.
53. Operate pump to carefully pull bonded rubber bush in until collar lies »flush« on subframe.
54. Install rear silencer of exhaust system 26Exhaust system; Removing and installing parts of the exhaust system.
55. Install coil springs .
56. Fit rear wheels.

Other VW procedures

• Removing engine · 41 torque figures
• Removing and installing camshaft – VW Golf Cabriolet · 47 torque figures
• Adjusting valve timing – VW Passat B5 · 83 torque figures
• Removing and installing camshafts – VW Passat B6 · 39 torque figures
• Removing and installing coolant pump · 53 torque figures
• Adjusting clutch engagement, gearboxes up to 05.2011
• Removing and installing front seat bar and operating lever · 3 torque figures
• Removing and installing bar of electrically adjustable seat · 3 torque figures
• Removing and installing subframe with steering rack – VW
• Removing and installing selector lever cable