Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VW Passat Variant (365) 1.4 TSI, VW Passat Variant (365) 1.8 TSI, VW Passat Variant (365) 1.6 TDI, VW Passat Variant (365) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (365) 2.0 TDI 4motion, VW Passat Variant (365) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (365) 2.0 TDI 4motion, VW Passat Variant (365) 1.4 TSI EcoFuel, VW Passat Variant (365) 3.6 FSI 4motion, VW Passat Variant (365) 1.4 TSI MultiFuel, VW Passat Variant (365) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (365) 1.8 TSI, VW Passat Variant (365) 2.0 TDI, VW Passat Variant (365) 1.4 TSI, VW Passat Variant (365) 2.0 TDI 4motion … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

This video shows the replacement procedure of a similar car part on another vehicle

All the parts you need to replace – Control Arm for Passat Variant (365) and other VW models

Suspension arm

        Suspension arm for Passat B7 Variant (365) Petrol (122 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for Passat B7 Variant (365) Petrol (160 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for Passat B7 Variant (365) Diesel (105 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for Passat B7 Variant (365) Diesel (140 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for Passat B7 Variant (365) Diesel (140 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for Passat B7 Variant (365) Diesel (170 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for Passat B7 Variant (365) Diesel (170 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for Passat B7 Variant (365) Petrol/Natural Gas (CNG) (150 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for Passat B7 Variant (365) Petrol (300 hp)

Replacement: front lower arm – VW PASSAT Variant (365). List of the tools you'll need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Drive socket # 13 
                      
                        Drive socket # 16 
                      
                        Drive socket # 18 
                      
                        Torx bit T25
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Tap wrench
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: front lower arm – VW PASSAT Variant (365). AUTODOC experts recommend:

The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right lower control arms.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: front lower arm – VW PASSAT Variant (365). Take the following steps:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 3

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.

Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: front lower arm – VW PASSAT Variant (365). Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Undo the fasteners of the oil pan lower cover. Use a drive socket #13. Use Torx T25. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 7

Remove the oil pan cover.
Step 8

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: front lower arm – VW PASSAT Variant (365). After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.Wear protective goggles.
Step 9

Unscrew the front arm fastener. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 10

Unscrew the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the car body. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 11

Unscrew the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a drive socket #16. Use a tap wrench.
Step 12

Remove the rear fastener of the control arm (2 pieces).
Step 13

Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #16. Use a tap wrench.
Step 14

Remove the front fastener of the control arm.
Step 15

Remove the rear fastener of the control arm.
Step 16

Remove the arm. Use a crowbar.
Step 17

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 18

Install a new arm. Use a crowbar.

Replacement: front lower arm – VW PASSAT Variant (365). AUTODOC recommends:
During the installation process, use only new bolts and nuts.Do not damage the ball joint cover.
Step 19

Install the front fastener of the arm.
Step 20

Screw the front arm fastener. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 21

Install the rear fastener of the control arm (2 pieces).
Step 22

Screw the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the car body. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 23

Install the rear fastener of the control arm.

Step 24

Screw the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 25

Tighten the fasteners of the ball joint. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 nm torque.
Step 26

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 27

Tighten the front fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 Nm torque.+180°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 28

Tighten the rear fastener connecting the arm to the car body. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 Nm torque.+180°

Replacement: front lower arm – VW PASSAT Variant (365). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 29

Tighten the rear fastener connecting the arm to the body subframe. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 30

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 31

Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 32

Reinstall the oil pan lower cover.
Step 33

Tighten the fasteners of the oil pan lower cover. Use a drive socket #13. Use Torx T25. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 34

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 35

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: front lower arm – VW PASSAT Variant (365). Tip from AUTODOC:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 36

Install the wheel.

Replacement: front lower arm – VW PASSAT Variant (365). Professionals recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 37

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 38

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 nm torque.

Step 39

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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