Lowering/raising front axle support (universal lifter)

Special tools required:

31 5 251
00 2 030
31 5 255
31 5 256

WARNING: Danger of injury!
Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in the vehicle slipping off the lifting platform and critically injuring other persons.
When supporting components, make sure that:

the vehicle can no longer be raised or lowered
the vehicle does not lift off the locating plates on the vehicle hoist.

IMPORTANT: Before lowering/removing front axle support:

Observe SAFETY INFORMATION for raising the vehicle

In order to avoid damage to vehicle hoist, perform weight compensation on vehicle.

Load spring strut domes with sand bags.

WARNING: Danger to life!
SECURE ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION WITH SPECIAL TOOL to prevent it from falling down.

Necessary preliminary work:

Secure ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION .
Remove STIFFENING PLATE .
Remove the front left and right wheel arch cover (front and rear sections). Refer to REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT WHEEL ARCH COVER (FRONT SECTION) or REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT WHEEL ARCH COVER (REAR SECTION) .
Remove the underbody protection in front and rear. Refer to REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING UNDERBODY PROTECTION (FRONT) and REMOVING REFITTING/REPLACING REAR ENGINE UNDERCOVER .
Remove STEERING ASSEMBLY COVER .

Lowering:

Bring steering to center position.

Release clamping bolt (1).

Detach the steering shaft (2) from the steering gear.

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Release screw (1).

Lift the auxiliary water cooler (2) out of the holder and hang to the side.

(Illustration shows left side auxiliary water cooler. Work on the right side auxiliary water cooler is identical.)

IMPORTANT: Risk of cooler fin damage.

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Release screw (1).

(Left side screwed connection is shown. Work on the right side screwed connection is identical.)

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Disconnect the connector (1) from the ride height sensor (2).

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Release the nut (1) from the left and right screwed connections between the anti-roll bar link and the anti-roll bar.

If necessary, hold up at the Torx socket.

Release the left and right anti-roll bar links (2) from the anti-roll bar.

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Disconnect the steering wiring harness holder (1) from the front axle support.

Disconnect the engine oil cooling line (2) from the front axle support.

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Attach special tool 31 5 251 to the workshop jack 00 2 030 with the help of an assistant.

Insert special tools 31 5 255 in telescopic supports of a profile rail pair.

Insert special tools 31 5 256 in telescopic supports of other profile rail pair.

NOTE: In a profile rail pair, two profile rails are connected to one another by gearing.

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Align special tools 31 5 251, 31 5 255 and 31 5 256 to front axle support.

Support front axle support by operating workshop jack 00 2 030.

IMPORTANT: The center of gravity of the front axle support must be positioned centrally over the workshop jack.

Secure front axle support with tensioning strap on special tool 31 5 251.

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Release screws (1-4).

Lower front axle support by no more than 10 cm.

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Raising:

Position the front axle support on the vehicle using the workshop jack 00 2 030.

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Part : Replace the screws (1-4).

Tighten the screws (1-4).

Tightening torque 31 10 1AZ .

Installation note:

Check threads for damage; if necessary, repair with HELICOIL THREAD INSERTS .

Note installation locations of screws.

Bolt (1) M12x45
Screw (2) M12x145
Screw (3) M14x105
Screw (4) M10x40

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Secure the steering wiring harness with holder (1) on the front axle support.

Secure the engine oil cooling line with holder (2) on the front axle support.

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Connect the connector (1) to the ride height sensor (2).

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Feed the left and right anti-roll bar links (2) into the anti-roll bar.

Part : Replace nut (1).

Tighten the nuts (1) for the left and right anti-roll bar links.

If necessary, hold up at the Torx socket.

Tightening torque 31 35 2AZ .

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Tighten the screws (1) on the left and right.

Tightening torque 51 11 6AZ .

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Position the auxiliary water cooler (2).

Tighten screw (1).

Tightening torque 17 10 6AZ .

(Illustration shows left side auxiliary water cooler. Work on the right side auxiliary water cooler is identical.)

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Connect the steering shaft (2) to the steering gear.

Part : Replace clamping bolt (1).

Tighten clamping bolt (1).

Tightening torque 32 31 2AZ .

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Required follow-up work:

Install the STEERING ASSEMBLY COVER .
Install the left and right wheel arch cover (front and rear sections). REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT WHEEL ARCH COVER (FRONT SECTION) or REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT WHEEL ARCH COVER (REAR SECTION) .
Install the underbody protection in front and rear. Refer to REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING UNDERBODY PROTECTION (FRONT) and REMOVING REFITTING/REPLACING REAR ENGINE UNDERCOVER .
Install the STIFFENING PLATE .
Remove the mount for the ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION .
Carry out or CARRY OUT KINEMATICS DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM WHEEL ALIGNMENT WITH VEHICLE LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or KINEMATICS DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM WHEEL ALIGNMENT WITH RIDE HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT LOADING THE VEHICLE .