Suspension - Rear Article Text

SUSPENSION - REAR
Article Text
1989 Volkswagen Golf
For Volkswagen Technical Site
Copyright © 1998 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC
Tuesday, August 24, 1999 12:05AM
ARTICLE BEGINNING
1989-90 SUSPENSION
Volkswagen Rear
Cabriolet, Fox, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta GLI
DESCRIPTION
Rear suspension is link type with MacPherson type suspension

struts. Suspension uses control arms and axle beam for stabilization.
Control arms and axle beam are combined as one unit. Brake drums or
discs ride on stub axles bolted to control arms. See Fig. 1.
WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT
Tighten hub nut to 7.5 ft. lbs. (10 N.m), while rotating
brake drum by hand. Determine the bearing play by testing the force
needed to move thrust washer. Light pressure should move thrust
washer. Turn hub nut until correct pressure is obtained.
STRUT ASSEMBLY R & I
NOTE: DO NOT remove both suspension struts at same time as this

would overload bushings in axle beam.
REMOVAL
1) With vehicle on floor, take off plastic cap covering strut

upper retaining nuts and remove nuts.
2) Slowly raise vehicle until weight is off spring. Remove
bolt retaining lower end of strut shock absorber to axle beam mount.
Raise vehicle until strut can be removed.
DISASSEMBLY
Place strut assembly in vise. Hold piston rod and remove

strut retaining nut. Take off components down to slotted nut. Remove
slotted nut. Take off spacer and coil spring.
NOTE: Some models do not have the slotted nut on shock absorber
shaft.
INSPECTION
Hand check shock absorbers for even resistance through entire

piston stroke. Worn shock absorbers cannot be overhauled. If coil
spring is being replaced, ensure that paint stripe color code on
replacement spring matches original spring code.
SUSPENSION - REAR
Article Text (p. 2)
Fig. 1: Typical Rear Suspension Components

Courtesy of Volkswagen United States, Inc.
REASSEMBLY
1) Fit protective cap and tube on shock absorber. Install

rubber buffer, with small diameter end downward. Insert snap ring and
washer.
2) Place spring into lower seat. Fit upper retainer with
spacer sleeve. Tighten slotted nut retaining piston rod. Put on upper
mounting hardware and tighten piston rod.
INSTALLATION
To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all bolts and

nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table at the end of
this article.
SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY R & I
CAUTION: When removing suspension assembly, add weight to rear of

vehicle to prevent tipping due to change in center of
gravity.
REMOVAL
1) With vehicle on floor, disconnect upper strut mount. Raise

vehicle and support with safety stands.
SUSPENSION - REAR
Article Text (p. 3)
2) Disconnect parking brake at holder near axle mount.

Disconnect and plug brake lines. Leave flex hose attached to
suspension.
3) Separate brake pressure regulator spring from axle beam
(if equipped). Remove both nuts retaining axle beam on each side to
body.
NOTE: Do not install bolts and nuts coated with undercoating wax.
With waxy coating on threads, true torque tightening cannot
be reached. Clean or replace bolts and nuts.
INSTALLATION
1) If axle beam mounting has been removed, adjust mounting

pad. See Fig. 2. If pad is not correctly aligned, torsional preload of
mounting bushings will be incorrect.
2) Position rear suspension on body. Install nuts retaining
axle beam to body. Raise wheel and guide upper end of strut into body
mount.
3) Connect parking brake cables. Connect brake lines. Lower
vehicle and tighten upper strut retaining nuts. Tighten all bolts and
nuts to specification. Bleed brake system.
AXLE BEAM PIVOT BUSHING R & I
REMOVAL
1) This procedure is for replacing bushing with axle beam

installed in vehicle. Raise vehicle and support with safety stands
under vehicle body.
2) With no pressure on beam, remove nuts retaining axle beam
to body and tap out pivot bolt.
3) Using Bushing Remover (VW 3111), press out bushing. Select
new bushing and press bushing into place.
INSTALLATION
1) Loosely install mounting pad on axle beam. Install bushing

to a depth of 2.42-2.44" (61.5-62.0 mm). Concave washer and bolt head
must face toward outside of vehicle. Bolt head must recess into
washer.
2) Using Mounting Bracket Aligner (VW 261 or 3021), align
mount. See Fig. 2. Tighten pivot bolt nut to specification with
vehicle on ground.
SUSPENSION - REAR
Article Text (p. 4)
Fig. 2: Correct Alignment of Axle Beam Mounting Pad

Courtesy of Volkswagen United States, Inc.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS TABLE

ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
Application Ft. Lbs. (N.m)
Brake Caliper Bolts ......................... 48 (65)

Coil Spring Retainer-to-Piston Rod Nut ...... 11 (15)
Rear Axle Beam Pivot Bushing Bolt ........... 43 (58)
Rear Axle Mounting Pad-to-Body Bolts ........ 63 (85)
Shock Absorber-to-Axle Beam Nut ............. 52 (70)
Shock Absorber-to-Body Bolt ................. 26 (35)
Shock Absorber Slot Nut ..................... 15 (20)
Stub Axle-to-Control Arm Bolts .............. 44 (60)
Wheel Lug Bolts ............................ 81 (110)
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
END OF ARTICLE

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SUSPENSION - REAR

Cabriolet, Fox, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta GLI

Rear suspension is link type with MacPherson type suspension

WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT

STRUT ASSEMBLY R & I

NOTE: DO NOT remove both suspension struts at same time as this

1) With vehicle on floor, take off plastic cap covering strut

Place strut assembly in vise. Hold piston rod and remove

Hand check shock absorbers for even resistance through entire

Fig. 1: Typical Rear Suspension Components

1) Fit protective cap and tube on shock absorber. Install

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all bolts and

SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY R & I

CAUTION: When removing suspension assembly, add weight to rear of

1) With vehicle on floor, disconnect upper strut mount. Raise

2) Disconnect parking brake at holder near axle mount.

1) If axle beam mounting has been removed, adjust mounting

AXLE BEAM PIVOT BUSHING R & I

1) This procedure is for replacing bushing with axle beam

1) Loosely install mounting pad on axle beam. Install bushing

Fig. 2: Correct Alignment of Axle Beam Mounting Pad

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS TABLE

Brake Caliper Bolts ......................... 48 (65)

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