31 31 031 Replacing front left or right spring strut shock absorber

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Special tools required:

31 2 210
31 2 230
31 3 341
31 3 354
31 3 355
31 3 358

IMPORTANT: When replacing shock absorber/spring strut, renew auxiliary damper!

WARNING:

Before using the special tool 31 3 340 take care to read through the Owner's Handbook!

All the safety information and instructions contained in the Owner's Handbook must be strictly observed!

Failure to observe these safety precautions and instructions increases the risk of serious physical injury, damage to your health and damage to property and equipment!

IMPORTANT:

Prior to each use, check the special tools for defects, modifications and operational reliability.
Damaged/modified special tools must not be used!
No changes or modifications may be made to the special tools!
These special tools are intended solely for the purpose of tightening and relieving cylindrical and tapered suspension springs.
Keep special tools dry, clean and free of grease.
Impact screwdrivers may not be used!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front spring strut .

Release nut (1), remove holder (2) and remove screw (3).

Expand swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230 and pull off spring strut.

Installation note: Keep press fit of swivel bearing and spring strut in lower area clean and free from oil and grease.

Screw head must point in direction of travel.

Installation:

Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque, see 31 31 3AZ in 31 31 SPRING STRUTS .

Fig 1: Identifying Nut, Holder And Bolts

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Installation note:

Expand swivel bearing with special tool 31 2 230, align based on gap to positioning pin (1) on rear of spring strut and push together to stop.

Fig 2: Expand Swivel Bearing With Special Tool 31 2 230

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Installation note:

Make sure swivel bearing contacts stop (1) correctly.

Fig 3: Make Sure Swivel Bearing Contacts Stop (1) Correctly

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Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Install insert 31 3 358 in special tool 31 3 354.

Position special tools 31 3 355 and 31 3 354 with insert 31 3 358 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until locking pins (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Check seating of special tools 31 3 355 and 31 3 354 with insert 31 3 358, correct if necessary.

Fig 4: Identifying Special Tools In Vice

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Clean coil spring to remove coarse dirt and take up with special tools 31 3 355 and 31 3 354 with insert 31 3 358.

Twist spring strut until end of coil spring (1) is flush with end of special tool 31 3 355.

WARNING: Special tool 31 3 354 and centering ring 31 3 358 must rest correctly on the upper spring cup! Bottom coil of coil spring must rest completely in recess of special tool 31 3 355!

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 5: Identifying Special Tools (31 3 355) And (31 3 354) Onto Coil Spring

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Take off protective cap.

Release nut with special tool 31 2 210 (grip piston rod in the process).

Fig 6: Identifying Special Tool (31 2 210) On Nut

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Remove support bearing (1), dust sleeve and supporting ring (2).

Remove shock absorber with auxiliary damper, gaiter and lower spring pad sideways from tensioned coil spring.

Fig 7: Identifying Support Bearing And Supporting Ring

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If necessary, remove auxiliary damper (1), gaiter (2) and spring pad (3) from shock absorber.

Fig 8: Identifying Auxiliary Spring, Gaiter And Lower Spring Pad

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Relieve tension on coil spring. Remove coil spring with spring cup from special tools 31 3 355, 31 3 358 and 31 3 354.

Fig 9: Remove Coil Spring With Spring Cup From Special Tools

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Installation:

Check spring pad (1) for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach spring cup (2) with spring pad (1) to coil spring.

Fig 10: Identifying Upper Spring Pad And Spring Plate

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NOTE: End of coil spring must be positively aligned to spring pad (1).

Take up coil spring with spring cup using special tools 31 3 355, 31 3 358 and 31 3 354. Twist coil spring until lower end of coil spring (1) is flush with end (2) of special tool 31 3 355.

Fig 11: Twist Coil Spring Until Lower End Of Coil Spring (1) Is Flush With End (2) Of Special Tool 31 3 355

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WARNING:

Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Special tool 31 3 354 and centering ring 31 3 358 must rest correctly on the upper spring cup! Bottom coil of coil spring must rest completely in recess of special tool 31 3 355!

Tension coil spring.

Fig 12: Ensure Special Tool 31 3 354 And Centering Ring 31 3 358 Rest Correctly On Upper Spring Cup

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Check auxiliary damper (1), gaiter (2) and spring pad (3) for damage, replace if necessary.

NOTE: Make sure spring pad (3) is correctly seated on shock absorber.

Fig 13: Make Sure Spring Pad (3) Is Correctly Seated On Shock Absorber

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Insert shock absorber in tensioned coil spring. Attach support disc (2) to piston rod. Check support bearing (1) for damage, replace if necessary. Attach dust boot and support bearing to piston rod.

Fig 14: Identifying Support Bearing And Thrust Washer

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Replace nut and tighten down with special tool 31 2 210 (grip piston rod in the process). Tightening torque, see 31 31 2AZ in 31 31 SPRING STRUTS . Fit cover cap.

Fig 15: Identifying Special Tool 31 2 210

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IMPORTANT: Spring pad (1) must rest positively on spring cup (2)! Upper end of coil spring must rest on stop of spring pad (1)!

Fig 16: Identifying Upper Spring Pad And Spring Plate

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IMPORTANT: Lower end of coil spring (2) must rest on stop of spring pad (1)

Relieve tension on coil spring. Check installation position of gaiter, correct fold if necessary.

Fig 17: Identifying Coil Spring And Spring Pad

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After installation: Carry out wheel alignment procedure. See 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or 32 00 155 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE-HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT LOAD . Carry out steering angle sensor adjustment / alignment for active steering.61 31 996 CARRY OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT or 32 10 005 ADJUSTMENT FOR ACTIVE FRONT STEERING .