31 10 001 Completely removing and installing front axle with engine and transmission (N63/S63 E70/E71)

Special tools required: 

• 31 5 162 

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Position vehicle on vehicle hoist so its weight is centered.
• Disconnect the BATTERY
• Move ENGINE HOOD into service position
• Drain coolant. See 17 00 008 DRAINING AND ADDING COOLANT IN RADIATOR (N63) or.
• Suction off A/C SYSTEM (R 134A)
• Remove BOTH INTAKE FILTER HOUSINGS (N63)
• Remove charge air cooler expansion tank. See 17 13 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING INTERCOOLER EXPANSION TANK (N63)
• Remove COOLANT EXPANSION TANK (N63) .
• Remove FAN COWL with electric fan.
• Remove SUPPLEMENTARY COOLANT PUMP FOR INTERCOOLER (N63) .
• Remove complete PROPELLER SHAFT .
• Remove front right WHEEL ARCH COVER .
• Release FEED AND RETURN LINES for engine oil cooler
• Remove BRAKE CALIPER on left and right
• Detach STEERING SPINDLE LOWER SECTION .

Release vacuum line (3) for brake-servo assistance at the vacuum pump.

Fig 1: Identifying Vacuum Line, Clip, And Snap Fastener

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Unlock coolant hose (1) and detach from coolant pipe.

Fig 2: Identifying Water Pipe

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Release screws and remove retaining bracket (1). Unlock upper section (2) of partition seal in direction of arrow and remove. Release grommets (3) for wiring harnesses from lower section of partition seal and from electronics box.

Installation note:  Make sure grommets are correctly seated so as to prevent ingress of moisture.

Fig 3: Unlocking Upper Section Of Partition Seal

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Release engine wiring harness from electronics box and secure on engine against falling off. Unlock and detach all connectors (1) on DME control unit. Unlock plug on electronics box fan and disconnect. Unlock and detach terminal strip (2). Unlock all plugs on plug strip (3) and detach. Unlock plug strip (3) and remove towards top.

Fig 4: Identifying Plug And Terminal Strip

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Unlock and detach vacuum line (1) from vacuum pump.

Fig 5: Detaching Vacuum Line From Vacuum Pump

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Release screws (1). Detach line. Tightening torque: 64 53 5AZ

Installation note:  Replace sealing rings and moisten with refrigerant fluid.

Fig 6: Replacing Sealing Rings

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Unlock and disconnect fuel delivery line (1), seal off with special tool 13 5 160. Seal off fuel delivery line (2) with special tool 13 5 162.

Fig 7: Identifying Fuel Feed Line

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Release nut and remove screw (3). Fix brake caliper (1) with a suitable auxiliary materials (2).

Installation note:  Keep wishbone to swivel bearing connection clean and free from oil and grease. Note direction of insertion of screw. Screw must rest correctly in groove of ball stud. Replace self-locking nut. Tightening torque: 31 12 6AZ .

Fig 8: Fix Brake Caliper With Suitable Auxiliary Materials

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Release nut (1) and remove screw (2).

Installation note:  Replace screw and nut. Note direction of insertion of screw. Tighten down screw connection in normal position. Tightening torque 31 12 3AZ. Detach plug connection of speed sensor at front left and right.

Fig 9: Identifying Nut And Screw

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Turn steering wheel. Use two mounting levers on both sides to unlock the drive shaft of the front axle differential.

Fig 10: Removing Output Shaft From Wheel Bearing

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Disconnect coolant hose (1) from auxiliary water pump (2).

Fig 11: Disconnecting Coolant Hose

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Slacken nut (1). Release holder (2) from support plate (3).

Fig 12: Releasing Holder From Support Plate

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Disengage engine oil pipe (1) from bracket (2).

Fig 13: Disengaging Engine Oil Pipe

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Remove screws (1 to 4). Detach pressure line of swivel motor (5). Detach pressure line of swivel motor (6). Pull off expandable hose for Adaptive Drive (7). Pull off return line (8).

Installation note:  Replace all gaskets.

Fig 14: Removing Pressure Lines, Expandable Hose And Return Hose

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Position engine assembly on table top A  .

Position transmission on table top B  .

Table top is adjustable in a longitudinal direction (see arrow).

Fig 15: Identifying Adjustable Table Top

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Structure of table lift. 

Position retaining elements (2) with fixture (40) on table top B  for cross member at coordinates 3/2.

Position retaining elements (3) with fixture (50) on table top B  for cross member at coordinates 2/6.

Position an additional retaining element (4) with fixture (80) on table top B  under transmission at coordinates 8/5 and 8/6.

Position retaining elements (1) with fixtures (60) on table top A  for front axle support at coordinates 3/2 -7/2 - 3/7 and 7/7.

Position fixture (5) on table top A for swivel bearing at coordinates 4/1 and 5/8.

Fig 16: Structure Of Table Lift

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Fig 17: Mounting Points For Front Axle Support And Transmission

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Secure fixture of swivel bearing (1) on brake disc with wheel studs (2). Secure adjusting screw (3).

Fig 18: Securing Adjusting Screw

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Release screws. Tightening torque, 22 32 4AZ. .

Fig 19: Identifying Screw

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Release screws (1, 2).

Installation note:  Tighten down first screws (1) and then screws (2). Tightening torque: 31 10 1AZ.

Fig 20: Identifying Screws

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With lift truck 81 22 2 184 136 and the aid of another person, carefully remove engine with transmission from below in front axle support combination.

Fig 21: Identifying Lift Truck (81 22 2 184 136)

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Installation note:  The inclination of the table lift (1) can be adjusted using adjusting screws (2).

Fig 22: Adjusting Table Lift Inclination

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