Suspension Strut, Removing And Installing: Notes

Special tools and workshop equipment required 

• Spreader Tool:3424 

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• Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS6931 

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• Support Device:VAS6931/1  , not illustrated

Removing

-- 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 .

Vehicle with Level Control System Sensor:

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-- If equipped, remove the stone chip protection. Refer to the illustration below.

-- Remove the nut -1- and free up the lever -2- for the level control system sensor on the control arm -3-.

Right Side of Vehicle:

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

Continuation for All Vehicles:

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-- Remove the nut -arrow- of the coupling rod -1- on the suspension strut by counterholding with a four-point socket on the threaded pin if necessary.

Left Side of Vehicle:

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-- Vehicle with Sport suspension: lower the suspension strut. Refer to SUSPENSION STRUT, LOWERING .

-- Remove the nuts -arrows-.

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

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

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

TIP:

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

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

Continuation for Both Sides:

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

-- Install the Support Device:VAS6931/1  -item A- to the brake rotor -1- using two wheel bolts -2-.

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-- Position the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS6931  -B- on the support device.

Vehicle with Electronic Damping:

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-- Disconnect the connector -1- and free up the wire on the suspension strut -2-.

Continuation for All Vehicles:

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-- Disconnect the connector -arrow- on the wheel bearing housing on the suspension strut.

-- Insert Spreader Tool:3424  into the wheel bearing housing.

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-- Turn the spreader with a ratchet 90°.

-- Press the brake rotor toward the suspension strut by hand, otherwise the shock absorber tube may become tilted in the hole of wheel bearing housing.

-- Pull the wheel bearing housing downward from the shock absorber tube and lower using the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS6931  until the shock absorber tube hangs freely.

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

-- Move the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS6931  to the side.

-- If the suspension strut was not lowered, remove the bolts -arrows- for the spring plate and remove the suspension strut.

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