Suspension Strut, Filling

Air springs are supplied as replacement parts with a minimum pressure. By sitting in storage for extended periods this pressure can diminish (just like a tire). This minimum pressure must be checked and if necessary restored by >>recharging<< before the air spring is removed from the packaging. If air spring is removed from the packaging without this checking/recharging, this may cause indentations or kinks to form in the dust boot before it reaches its normal shape. These folds can cause damage and premature failure of the air spring.

Special tools and workshop equipment required 

• Air Suspension Strut Charger:VAS 6231 
  Fig 1: Air Spring Charging Unit VAS 6231

  Courtesy of AUDI
• Air Spring Strut Adapter:T10157 
  Fig 2: Adapter T10157/1

  Courtesy of AUDI
• Steel gas bottle filled with argon or corgon

Procedure

Courtesy of AUDI

-- Remove the plug -arrow- from the residual pressure retaining valve.

-- Close the valve of the steel gas bottle.

-- Become familiar with the relevant rules for the prevention of accidents for pressurized containers and technical gases.

-- Connect the Air Suspension Strut Charger:VAS 6231  and Air Spring Strut Adapter:T10157  as shown.

Courtesy of AUDI

1. Air Spring in the Packaging.
2. Steel Gas Bottle for Argon, Corgon with Fitting

• >>Refilling<< the air spring may only be performed with the gases from the top to prevent any "uncleaned" air from getting into the air suspension system.

-- Set the flow rate limiter gauge on the fitting to 2.0 L/min -arrow-.

Courtesy of AUDI

-- Using several single pressure thrusts, fill the air spring with gas to approximately 5.0 bar (72.52 psi).

Courtesy of AUDI

-- Disconnect the Air Suspension Strut Charger:VAS 6231  from the Air Spring Strut Adapter:T10157  . When doing this, gas will escape at a pressure greater than 3.5 bar (50.76 psi) -arrow-.

• Minimum pressure is now reestablished. The air spring can be removed from the packaging.

-- After installation, first drive the vehicle at high ride height and then at normal ride height.

-- Repeat the procedure.

• By moving the vehicle lever heights twice, the majority of the gas is exchanged with filtered and dried air from the air supply motor.

-- Install the air spring. Refer to Installing .