Suspension Strut, Removing And Installing: Removing

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

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

-- 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 .

Applies to Vehicles with a Level Control System Sensor

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-- Remove the nut -arrow- and free up the level control system sensor coupling rod from the control arm.

Applies to All

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

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

Applies to the Right Side of the Vehicle

-- Remove the right drive axle. Refer to DRIVE AXLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

Applies to the Left Side of the Vehicle

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-- Mark the installation position of the left ball joint at the nuts -arrows- using a felt-tip pen.

-- Remove the nuts on the left side.

-- Remove the control arm from the ball joint and then turn ball joint forward to take the load off the control arm.

NOTE:

Make sure the ball joint rubber boot is not damaged during assembly work. If necessary protect the ball joint rubber boot against damage.

-- Lower the suspension strut on vehicles with sport suspension. Refer to SUSPENSION STRUT, LOWERING . If the vehicle does not have a sport suspension, the suspension strut must not be lowered.

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

NOTE:

If the components cannot be separated, press the drive axle out of the wheel bearing. Refer to DRIVE AXLE, PRESSING OUT OF WHEEL BEARING .

CAUTION:

Risk of damaging a loose hanging drive axle by over-bending the inner joint.

Secure the drive axle to the body using wire.

Continuation for Both Sides

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-- Attach the ball joint to the control arm again by installing the nuts -arrows- hand-tight.

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

Fig 1: Dimension Between Wheel Hub Center & Lower Edge Of Wheel Housing

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Applies to Vehicles with Electronic Damping (Audi Magnetic Ride):

-- Disconnect the connector -1- and free up the wire on the suspension strut.

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NOTE:

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

All Vehicles:

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

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-- Insert the : 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 by hand, otherwise shock absorber tube may become tilted in the hole of wheel bearing housing.

-- Pull off wheel bearing housing downward from the shock absorber tube and lower using the : VAS6931 until the 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 bolt -1- for the spring plate and remove the suspension strut.

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