Suspension Strut

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Angle wrench V.A.G 1756
Torque wrench V.A.G 1332
Ball joint puller 3287 A
Spreader 3424
Vehicle Diagnostic, Testing and Information System VAS 5051B

Removing

-- Loosen the drive axle threaded connection on the wheel side.

Hex bolt, refer to HEX BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .
12-point bolt, refer to 12-POINT BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

-- Remove the wheel.

-- Remove the brake caliper and secure it to the body using wire. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove brake line and electrical line bracket from wheel bearing housing.

-- Remove the ABS speed sensor. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove coupling rod upper hex nut -arrow- from suspension strut.

Fig 1: Locating Suspension Strut Coupling Hex Nut

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-- Loosen tie rod end nut, but do not remove yet.

Fig 2: Identifying Tie Rod End Pressed Off From Wheel Bearing Housing With Ball Joint Puller 3287A

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-- Press off track rod ball joint from wheel bearing housing using 3287A and now unscrew nut.

-- On vehicles with a level control system sensor, remove the nut from the linkage on the transverse link.

Fig 3: Identifying Front Left Level Control Bolt And Sensor

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-- On vehicles with electronically-controlled damping (Audi magnetic ride), disconnect connector -2-.

Fig 4: Bolts -Arrows-

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NOTE:

Remove the connector -2- with both hands. Use one hand to open the retainer and use the other hand to press it off. Do not use tools.

-- Mark location of nuts -arrows- with felt-tip pen.

-- Remove nuts -arrows-.

-- Guide transverse link out of ball joint and remove wheel bearing housing from drive axle splines.

NOTE:

The drive axle must not hang down, otherwise the inner joint will be damaged by overflexing.

Secure drive axle to body using wire.

-- Remove plenum chamber cover. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove upper shock absorber mount hex bolts -arrows-.

Fig 5: Identifying Upper Suspension Strut Mounting Hex Bolts

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-- Remove suspension strut.

-- Disconnect suspension strut to wheel bearing housing connection.

-- Insert 3424 into slot of wheel bearing housing.

Fig 6: Suspension Strut -1- From Wheel Bearing Housing -2-

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-- Using a ratchet and the 3424, open the wheel bearing housing slot.

-- Remove suspension strut -1- from wheel bearing housing -2-.

Installing

Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following:

Tightening specifications, refer to WHEEL BEARING HOUSING AND WHEEL BEARING UNIT ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW .

Tightening specifications, refer to SUBFRAME, STABILIZER BAR, TRANSVERSE LINK, BALL JOINT, AND LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM SENSOR ASSEMBLY OVERVIEW .

-- Insert suspension strut, one of the two markings -arrows- must point in direction of travel when doing this.

Fig 7: Identifying Suspension Strut Markings

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-- Replace locking element after each removal.

-- Align nuts -arrows- according to markings made earlier and tighten.

Fig 8: Bolts -Arrows-

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-- Tighten drive axle to wheel hub threaded connection.

Hex bolt, refer to HEX BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .
12-point bolt, refer to 12-POINT BOLT BETWEEN DRIVE AXLE AND WHEEL HUB, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

-- Installing plenum chamber cover. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- On vehicles with electronically-controlled damping (Audi magnetic ride), reprogram control position using VAS 5051B

-- On vehicles with automatic headlamp range control, perform headlamp basic setting. Refer to [For transmission(s) 02E] [For engine(s) CBRA, BPY, CETA, CCTA, CEPB, CDMA] Diagnosis and Testing .

-- Vehicle alignment required, see table. Refer to WHEN WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS NECESSARY .