Suspension Strut: Notes
- Cover
- Bump stop
- Note various types; refer to appropriate service information.
- Threaded cap with cover cap
- 240 Nm (177 ft lb)
- Removing and installing Fig. 6 Removing and installing threaded cap
- Shock absorber shaft
- Loosening or tightening, hold mounting nut with hex wrench
- Shock absorber
- S4/S6 models equipped with gas-filled shock absorbers
- Can be replaced individually
- Removing and installing with strut installed SHOCK ABSORBER
- Before disposing of gas-filled shocks, release gas pressure
- Before replacing, refer to the imprint on the vehicle data plate to determine shock absorber type:
1BA = standard version;
1BE = sports version
NOTE:Vehicles with sports suspension are equipped with gas-filled shock absorbers.
Checking conventional shock absorbers (removed)
-- Hold shock absorber upright.
-- Check operation by extending and compressing by hand.
-- Resistance must be even and smooth over entire stroke
Shock absorbers that have been stored for a long period of time may need to be pumped several times.
Faulty shock absorbers make thumping noises while driving.
If shock absorbers are working properly, slight traces of oil on shock absorber do not necessarily mean it must be replaced. Too much oil lost will result in a "flat spot" during extension and compression.
Checking gas-filled shock absorbers (removed)
-- Compress shock absorber by hand.
-- Resistance must be even and smooth over entire stroke
-- Release shock absorber shaft.
If gas pressure in the shock absorber is adequate, piston rod will return by itself to the starting position.
If not, the shock absorbers do not necessarily need to be replaced. Unless there has been a significant loss of oil, a gasfilled shock absorber will continue to perform in the same way as a conventional shock absorber.
- Wheel bearing housing
- Make sure slot in wheel bearing housing is not pried open or enlarged when pressing out control arm ball joint
- S4/S6 models have three-point brake caliper mounting
- Wheel bearing
- Inner diameter has shoulder
- Pressing out Fig. 3 Pressing out wheel bearing
- Pressing in Fig. 5 Installing wheel bearing
- Installation position: large inner diameter faces toward wheel hub
- Wheel hub
- Version with shoulder
- Pressing out Fig. 1 Pressing out wheel hub
- Pressing in Fig. 2 Pressing in wheel hub
- Remove inner bearing race Fig. 4 Removing bearing inner race
- Modified version for 4/S6 models Fig. 8 Modified wheel hub for S4/S6 models
- Self-locking nut
- Always replace
- 45 Nm (33 ft lb) plus additional 1/4-turn (90°)
- Self-locking nut
- Always replace
- 60 Nm (44 ft lb)
- Tighten with torque wrench Fig. 7 Tightening top nut with torque wrench
- Stop washer
- Strut bearing
- Mark installation position
- Adjusting camber FRONT AXLE CAMBER, ADJUSTING
- Bearing plate
- Axial bearing
- Spring retainer
- Protective ring
- Boot
- Lower end installed on threaded cap, upper end on spring retainer
- Damping ring
- Install in spring retainer
- Note different thicknesses; thickness can be seen on underside from number of knobs (1-3)
- Coil spring
- Can be replaced individually
- Before installing, determine spring type
- Imprint on data plate indicates:
1BA = standard version
1BE = sports version
- Replacing COIL SPRINGS
- Installation: color identification on spring points downward toward shock absorber housing