33 52 131 Replacing Rear Left Or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber (Early Version; Up To 2007)

Special tools required: 

• 31 3 341
• 31 3 357

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

Version with EDC: 

In a warranty case you must always provide a fault memory printout, even where there is no fault memory entry, with the defective part.

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove rear spring strut shock absorber

Removing: 

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tools 313 357 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 313 357, correct if necessary.

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tool 31 3 341 And 313 357 In Vice

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Clean coil spring to remove all coarse dirt and mount on special tools 31 3 357.

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tool 313 357 Mounting Coil Spring

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Mark installation position of support bearing to spring strut shock absorber using a stud (arrow).

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 3: Identifying Installation Position Of Support Bearing To Spring Strut Shock Absorber

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Release nut (gripping piston rod in the process).

Remove plate and support bearing with upper spring pad.

Remove spring strut shock absorber with support pot, rear auxiliary damper, protective tube and lower spring pad sideways from tensioned coil spring.

Fig 4: Removing Nut

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Remove support pot, rear auxiliary damper (1) with protective tube and lower spring pad (2).

Assembly: 

Check lower spring pad (2), if necessary replace and position on spring plate.

Check rear auxiliary damper (1) with protective tube for damage, replace if necessary and attach to piston rod.

Attach support pot to piston rod.

Fig 5: Identifying Lower Spring Pad And Damper

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Replacement only: Carry over marking from old part to new part.

Insert spring strut shock absorber in tensioned coil spring and align to end of coil spring using lower spring pad.

Fig 6: Identifying Spring Strut Shock Absorber In Tensioned Coil Spring

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Fig 7: Identifying Coil Spring Is Correctly Seating Position In Lower Spring Pad

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Check support bearing for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach support bearing to piston rod. Use lower spring pad to align support bearing to end of coil spring.

Fig 8: Identifying Support Bearing Positions

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Attach plate to piston rod.

Replace self-locking nut and screw on as far as possible to avoid damaging the piston rod when relieving tension on the coil spring.

Align support bearing by way of a stud (arrow) to marking on spring strut shock absorber.

Fig 9: Locating Support Bearing Alignment Positions

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Relieve tension on coil spring slightly.

Tighten down nut (gripping piston rod in the process).

Tighten to specified torque. See REAR AXLE -- TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Fully relieve tension on coil spring.

Fig 10: Tightening Down Nut

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After installation: 

• Carry out coding (dependent on type code number)