Changing the front left wheel bearing on an Audi A3 II

Remove the hubcap from the center of the wheel

Insert a flathead screwdriver into one edge and pry it up.

Bolt head, you will need a 27mm socket

Insert your 27 mm socket with your extension and use a 1.50 m to 2 m tube to help you unblock it.

Remove the wheel nut covers

Using the pliers present in the trunk of the vehicle (or flat-nose pliers), go and find the cover, do the same operation for the 5 holes.

With your cross unlock the wheel.

Securing the vehicle: removing and refitting the wheel

Always place a jack stand under the vehicle for safety.

Remove the 5 studs and your wheel

By hand, unhook the wire from the two supports.

With a flat screwdriver insert it under the clip and pry up and down.

Remove it with your hand

Using the flat screwdriver, remove the top and bottom caps.

Inside the hood

The screw

Using a 7mm Allen key, loosen the two screws

Remove the screws from their location.

With a flat screwdriver insert it at the top and pry it up.

Push the disc pads back with the flat screwdriver to release the caliper

Remove the brake caliper.

Using a string or wire, attach the brake caliper to the shock absorber spring.

You can remove the second brake pad.

Loosen and remove the two bolts with an 18mm wrench

Tilt the caliper forward and remove it.

With a crosshead screwdriver loosen the screw and remove the brake disc

If the screw is too hard to loosen you will need an impact screwdriver.

Use a 16 mm wrench to release the three nuts on the ball joint.

Wire brush the nuts and apply penetrating oil.

Using a flat screwdriver, remove the ball joint from the triangle.

If necessary, hit the head of the bolt with a hammer to release the universal joint.

Loosen and remove the bolt completely.

Pull the hub

Push the cardan shaft to release it from the hub.

Thoroughly clean the threads of the four screws with a wire brush.

Put penetrating oil on the ends of the 4 screws

You will need a T55 tip

This step is very important to facilitate the loosening of the hub

Heat the hub with a heat gun at the location of the screws where you put the penetrating oil

Place the bit straight so as not to damage the screw heads.

Using your bit (M12 - 12-sided extended), release the screws and remove them.

Once the 4 screws are removed, you can remove the hub.

Unpacking the new hub

Bearing inseparable from the hub

Hub

New bolts

Place the hub in its location by aligning the fixing holes

Fix the hub with the new screws and lock them with the T 55 bit.

Fit the cardan head into the hub, rotating it to the right or left to match the splines.

Move the cardan bolt as close as possible to do this you will need a 24mm twelve-sided socket

Leverage with a crowbar, press down on the triangle and push on the hub to align the screws with the mounting holes.

Once aligned release the triangle

Reposition the nuts and lock the assembly with a 16 mm wrench.

Position the disk in its location

Replace the fixing screw and lock the

Position the support, place one screw then the other screw before locking both with the 18 mm key.

Reposition the pad by applying it against the disc.

Position the stirrup at the bottom

Be careful to position the brake pad indicator wire correctly

Push the top of the caliper towards the disc

Take out the screws and engage them in the location.

Tighten the screws with the 7 mm Allen key

Reposition the two covers on the screw heads at the top and bottom

Reposition the two cables in their location.

The wear indicator cable

Reposition the staple in the top hole

Using a flat head screwdriver, push the tip of the bottom clip into its hole, holding it with your thumb as you push.

This operation is not always done the first time.

Make sure the tips are properly inserted into the holes.

Reassemble the wheel and bring the bolts together as much as possible.

Remove the candle and lower the jack

Block your wheel

With the 1.5 to 2 m bar, block the cardan bolt

Replace the center hubcap by hand.

Replace the caps on the wheel nuts.

Start the engine and pump the brake pedal three times to bring the pads back into contact with the brake disc.