Replacement of front suspension components and parts (VW Golf 2)

Replacing the lever

The arm can be disconnected from the steering knuckle in two different ways. The first involves separating the ball joint from the steering knuckle, the second involves unscrewing the bolts that secure the joint to the arm. Both methods are described in detail below (see figure 399).

Loosen the wheel nuts, raise the front of the car, place it on stands and remove the wheel.

Jack up the outer part of the lever (under the hub).

Dismantling the lever using the first method, in which the ball joint remains on the lever:

• Remove the bolt from the mount clamp at the steering knuckle by carefully tapping it out after unscrewing the nut.
• Remove the side bolt from the front arm of the lever (the bolt is too tight).
• Then unscrew the lower bolt from the lever arm: a metal bushing will be visible in the hole, which should be removed with pliers.
• Lower the jack and push the lever up until the pivot pin comes out of the hole in the steering knuckle.
• Push the lever out of the mount at the front and pull it out of the position between the plate and the subframe at the rear.

(The original can be found at: www.VWManual.ru)

Dismantling the lever in the second way, in which the bolts securing the support to the lever are unscrewed:

• Draw a line around the ball joint plate at the bottom of the lever so that it will return to its original position during installation.
• Unscrew the three hinge plate mounting bolts from below and remove the locking plate with nuts from above (figure 406).
• Move the spring post outward slightly to release the connection.
• Remove the side bolt from the front arm of the lever (the bolt is too tight).
• Remove the lower bolt from the lever arm: a metal bushing will be visible in the hole, which must be removed with pliers.
• Lower the jack and push up on the lever next to the hinge plate.
• Further disassembly steps are described above.

The lever is installed in the reverse order. Tightening torques are given in figure 399.

Replacing the steering knuckle

The steering knuckle can be removed after it has been disconnected from the lever in the manner described earlier.

Replacing the anti-roll bar rod

Stabilizer mount (if it is installed in the suspension) shown in Figure 407. The stabilizer is connected to the car body with two clamps that cover the rubber bushings, and to the suspension arm with a hinge rod. When dismantling the stabilizer rod, it is necessary to pay attention to the installation methods of the parts. The rubber bushings are cone-shaped and directed toward the washers, while the bent edges of the washers should be on the bushing side.