SUBFRAME, Lowering
Procedure
- Vehicles with active suspension: pay attention to the safety precautions. Refer to SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN WORKING ON VEHICLES WITH ACTIVE SUSPENSION .
-- Versions with coil springs: determine the curb weight position. Refer to WHEEL BEARING IN CURB WEIGHT POSITION, LIFTING VEHICLES WITH COIL SPRING .
-- Versions with air suspension: determine the standard vehicle height. Refer to WHEEL BEARING AT STANDARD VEHICLE HEIGHT, LIFTING VEHICLES WITH AIR SUSPENSION .
-- Remove the front noise insulation. Refer to OVERVIEW - NOISE INSULATION .
Equipment Versions without sway Stabilization:
-- Remove the screw -arrow- and free up the ground wire.
-- Remove the bolt -2-.
-- Disconnect the connector -3- and free up the wire.
Continuation for All Vehicles:
-- Remove the bolt -1-.
-- Release the catches -arrows- and free up the bracket -4- for the wires from the subframe.
TIP:
The illustration shows the installation position on a vehicle without the parking heater.
-- Free up the wire to the steering gear and to the stabilizer bar.
-- Secure the subframe. Refer to SUBFRAME, SECURING .
-- Remove the left and right front longitudinal member. Refer to OVERVIEW - LOCK CARRIER .
-- Disconnect the left and right connector -3- from the level control system sensor. Free up the wires.
-- Disconnect the left and right connector -3- for the electrohydraulic engine mount solenoid valve.
-- Remove the connector -2- from the bracket and disconnect it.
-- Free up the wire.
-- Equipment versions with support bearing: remove the left and right bolt -1- for the support bearing.
Equipped on Some Models:
-- If installed, disconnect the left and right connector -1- on the sensor with the assembly mounts actuator.
Equipment Versions with Side Transmission Mount:
-- Remove the left and right bolts -arrows-.
Equipment Versions with Sway Stabilization:
-- Remove the nut -arrow-. Free up the ground wire for the sway stabilization.
-- Remove the nut -1- and then remove the bolt -3-. Free up the bracket -2- with electrical wires.
LHD with High-Voltage System:
-- Remove the nut -2- at the right side of the vehicle.
RSQ8 with High-Voltage System:
-- Remove the nut -2- at the left side of the vehicle.
Continuation for All Vehicles:
-- Free up the hose -3- at the shield lower section -1-.
-- Remove the left and right bolts -arrow- for the subframe shield.
-- Remove the steering intermediate shaft from the steering gear and then push together. Refer to STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
-- Remove the engine mount bolt -arrow- on the left and right side. If necessary, free up the wires on the longitudinal member to do this.
-- Lower the subframe with the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS 6931 .
- Make sure there is enough clearance for the wires when lowering the subframe.
- The drive axles must not contact the suspension struts.
Installing
Install in the reverse order of removal while noting the following:
-- Remove the Locating Pins Locating Pins:T40327 . Refer to SUBFRAME, SECURING .
-- Install the steering intermediate shaft. Refer to STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
- Bonded rubber bushings have a limited range of rotation. Only tighten the suspension bolts when the vehicle is in curb weight position or at standard vehicle height.
-- Lifting the wheel bearing in curb weight position (refer to WHEEL BEARING IN CURB WEIGHT POSITION, LIFTING VEHICLES WITH COIL SPRING ) or at standard vehicle height (refer to WHEEL BEARING AT STANDARD VEHICLE HEIGHT, LIFTING VEHICLES WITH AIR SUSPENSION ).
There is a risk of accident due to threaded connections that are not tightened correctly.
- Tighten threaded connections correctly before driving on public roads.
Tightening Specifications
- Refer to OVERVIEW - SUBFRAME
- Refer to OVERVIEW - LOCK CARRIER .
- Refer to OVERVIEW - NOISE INSULATION .
- Refer to OVERVIEW - FRONT WHEEL HOUSING LINER .
- Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES
- Ground Wire. Refer to the appropriate Wiring Diagram.