Suspension Strut, Removing And Installing: Removing

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

-- Loosen drive axle bolt on the wheel hub. Refer to DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

-- Remove the wheel. Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .

-- If installed disconnect the Vehicle Inclination Sensor -G384- coupling rod from the control arm, to do this remove the nuts -4-.

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-- Remove the coupling rod -1- nut -arrow- from the suspension strut. Refer to COUPLING ROD, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

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-- Remove the nuts -arrows-.

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-- Disconnect the ball joint from control arm.

-- Remove both the wheel bearing housing and ball joint from the control arm.

Applies to the Right Side of the Vehicle:

-- Remove the plenum chamber cover. Refer to OVERVIEW - PLENUM CHAMBER COVER / PLENUM CHAMBER COVER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove plenum chamber-bulkhead. Refer to OVERVIEW - BULKHEAD / PLENUM CHAMBER BULKHEAD, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the tight drive shaft. Refer to DRIVE AXLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

Applies to the Left Side of the Vehicle:

-- On sport suspensions, lower the suspension strut. If the vehicle does not have a sport suspension the sport suspension must not be lowered. Refer to SUSPENSION STRUT, LOWERING .

-- Pull the hub from the drive axle outer joint.

-- Secure drive axle to body using wire.

NOTE:

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

Continuation for Both Sides:

-- Re-bolt the ball joint to control arm, to do this install the nuts -arrows- hand tight.

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-- Fasten :VAS6931 using :T10149 to wheel hub with a wheel bolt.

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-- On vehicles with electronic damping controlled (Audi magnetic ride), disconnect the connector -1- and free up the wire from the suspension strut.

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NOTE:

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

-- Disconnect threaded connection of wheel bearing housing/suspension strut -arrow-.

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-- Insert :3424 -1- into wheel bearing housing slot.

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-- Turn the ratchet 90° and remove it from the :3424 .

-- Press the brake rotor toward the suspension strut, otherwise shock absorber tube may be canted in hole of wheel bearing housing.

-- Pull off wheel bearing housing downward from shock absorber tube and lower using :VAS6931 as far until shock absorber tube hangs freely.

-- Tie up the wheel bearing housing with a wire on the bracket/subframe.

-- Remove the :VAS6931 from under the wheel bearing housing.

-- If the suspension strut is not lowered, remove the bolts -1- for the spring plate and remove the suspension strut.

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