Replacing front axle support

Special tools required:

31 5 251

WARNING: Danger of injury!
Failure to comply with the following instructions may result in the vehicle slipping off the vehicle hoist 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.

CAUTION: Before lowering/removing front axle support:

Observe SAFETY INFORMATION on 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:

Clamp off BATTERY EARTH LEAD .
Secure ENGINE IN INSTALLATION POSITION .
Lower FRONT AXLE SUPPORT .
Remove WISHBONE FROM FRONT AXLE SUPPORT .
Remove TENSION STRUTS FROM FRONT AXLE SUPPORT .

Removal:

Left side only:

Slacken nut (1).

Remove jointed rod (2) from left wishbone.

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Slacken nut (1).

If necessary, counter-hold at the Torx socket.

Undo track rod ends (2) from the swivel bearings on left and right.

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Unlock plug connections (1) and disconnect.

Loosen screws (2).

Use the nuts as counter supports.

Remove the steering gear (3).

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Loosen screws (3).

Remove anti-roll bar (2).

Take front axle support down from workshop jack.

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Installation:

Use previous front axle support as a template for remounting or replacing small parts.

Position new front axle support (1) on the special tool 31 5 251 and secure with tensioning strap.

Position anti-roll bar (2) on front axle support (1).

Insert screws (3).

Part : Replace nuts.

Tighten nuts.

Tightening torque 31 35 1AZ .

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Position steering gear (3) at front axle support.

Part : Replace the screws (2) and nuts.

Tighten down screws (2).

Use the nuts as counter supports.

Tightening torque 32 00 1AZ .

Position front axle support at vehicle.

Connect plug connections (1).

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Join track rod ends (2) at the swivel bearings on left and right.

Part : Replace nut (1).

Tighten nut (1).

If necessary, counter-hold at the Torx socket.

Tightening torque 32 21 3AZ .

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Position jointed rod (2) of ride height sensor on wishbone.

Part : Replace nut (1).

Tighten nut (1).

Tightening torque 37 14 4AZ .

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Required follow-up work:

Mount TENSION STRUT ON FRONT AXLE SUPPORT .
Mount WISHBONE ON FRONT AXLE SUPPORT .
Lift FRONT AXLE SUPPORT and install.
Move ENGINE TO INSTALLATION POSITION .
Connect BATTERY EARTH LEAD .
Carry out wheel alignment procedure. Refer to 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 .