Safety Warning

DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.

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HOMESERVICE MANUALSVOLKSWAGEN2012JETTA TDI, 4D SEDAN, STANDARD TRANSREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISEXTERNAL PAGESDIFFERENT VARIANT/TRIMSECTION 40 (FRONT SUSPENSION (SPORTWAGEN))40 FRONT SUSPENSIONDIAGNOSIS AND TESTINGINNER CV JOINT, CHECKINGNOTES

2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 4D Sedan, Standard Trans

Inner CV Joint, Checking: Notes

2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 4D Sedan, Standard TransSECTION Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Removing

The joint must be disassembled to replace dirty grease or for checking the balls and ball tracks for wear and damage.

-- Swing ball hub and ball cage.

Fig 1: Identifying Direction To Press Out Ball Joint Housing

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Press out ball joint housing in direction of arrow.

-- Press balls out of cage.

NOTE:

Ball hub and joint piece are paired. Do not interchange.

-- Flip out ball hub from ball cage via running path of ball -arrows-.

Fig 2: Flipping Out Ball Hub From Ball Cage Via Running Path Of Ball

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Check joint piece, ball hub, ball cage and balls for small broken off depressions (pitting build-up) and chafing.

Excessive circumferential backlash in joint makes itself noticed via tip-in shock. Joint must be replaced in such cases. Flattening and running marks of balls are no reason to replace joint.

Installing

-- Insert ball hub into ball cage via two chamfers. The installation position is at random. Press balls into cage.

Fig 3: Inserting Ball Hub Over Both Chamfers Into Ball Cage

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

Ball hub has 2 different distances between ball tracks, a larger and a smaller.

-- Insert hub with cage and balls upright into joint piece.

When inserting, make sure that in each case the wide gap -a- at joint piece contacts narrow gap -b- at hub after swinging in.

Fig 4: Identifying Wide Space On Joint Housing Aligned With Narrow Space On Hub

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

Chamfer on inner diameter of ball hub (splines) must face large diameter of joint piece.

-- Also note chamfer on inner diameter of ball hub, it must be visible after swiveling in.

-- Swing in ball hub, to do so swing out hub far enough from cage -arrows- so that the balls have the distance of the running paths.

Fig 5: Identifying Ball Hub Installed With Hub Able To Be Swivelled Out Of Cage

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Swing in hub with balls by pressing forcefully onto cage -arrow-.

Fig 6: Identifying Cage Pressed Firmly Until Hub Is In Position

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

RENDER: 1.0x

NO RELATED

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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

• You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
• Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
• The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
• You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
• You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.