Removing and installing complete rear axle support

Special tools required:

2 358 630
31 5 251
00 2 030
31 5 255
31 5 253

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.
Load the luggage compartment with a minimum of 100 kg before lowering/removing the rear axle support.
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: Observe SAFETY INFORMATIONS for raising the vehicle
In order to avoid damage to vehicle hoist, perform weight compensation on vehicle.

Necessary preliminary work:

Remove BOTH REAR WHEELS .
Remove and hang up brake calipers on left and right.
Do not allow brake calipers to hang from brake hose!
Remove COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM .
Remove the BRACING STRUT ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT .
Remove rear propeller shaft heat shield.
Release the propeller shaft on the rear axle differential and tie it up. Refer to COMPLETELY REMOVE AND INSTALL THE PROPELLER SHAFT MADE OF STEEL (INSERTED AT THE REAR) or REMOVING AND INSTALLING CARBON PROPELLER SHAFT (INSERTED) COMPLETE .

Removal:

Only M3, M4:

Hang up CRP propeller shaft (2) with a tensioning strap (3).

Pull off the sliding joint (1) from the input flange of the rear axle differential before lowering the rear axle.

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Release nuts (3); if necessary, grip at inner Torx socket.

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

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Secure special tool 2 358 630 with wheel studs to drive flange.

Support steering stub with special tool 2 358 630 and workshop jack at wheel hub.

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Loosen shock absorbers from the camber control arm on the left and right:

Slacken nut (1).

Lift wheel carrier with workshop jack to the point where the screw can be removed.

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Slowly lower workshop jack until wheel carrier is freely suspended.

Place workshop jack to side.

NOTE: Special tool 2 358 630 can remain on wheel hub.

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Slacken nut (1).

Remove ground strap (2) from bolt.

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Loosen cable from the holder (1) on the rear axle support on the left and right.

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Disconnect the plug connection (3) from the temperature sensor for the rear axle differential.

Release the cable clip (2) of the sensor cable (1) from the oil sump.

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Disconnect the plug connection (1) from the servomotor of the rear axle differential (2).

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Loosen wiring harness for rear axle differential servomotor (1) from the rear axle support (2).

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Unlock the plug connection (5) from the ride height sensor (1) and disconnect.

Release the sensor cable from the rear axle support.

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Slacken nut (1).

Remove cover (2).

NOTE: Illustration shows the right-hand side; the procedure for the left hand-side is identical.

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Open lid (1).

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Disconnect plugs (1) and (2).

NOTE: Illustration shows the left side, the procedure for the right side is identical.

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

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NOTE: Info: Figure with the installed wheel. The wheels need not be re-installed to release the parking brake Bowden cable.

Bring brake disc into position (threaded hole turned down approx. 20° from horizontal).

F = direction of travel

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Nipple (1) and brake shoe expander lock (2) are visible through threaded hole.

Push in core of parking brake Bowden cable in direction of brake shoe expander to limit position and grip firmly.

Press nipple (1) downwards through threaded hole with a screwdriver.

Pull parking brake Bowden cables out of wheel carrier.

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Loosen Bowden cables (1) for parking brake from holder (2).

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Insert special tool 31 5 251 with the helper onto the universal jack 00 2 030 completely.

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

Insert special tools 31 5 253 in telescopic supports of the other profile rail pair.

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

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Mount the special tool 31 5 251, 31 5 253, 31 5 255 on the mounting points of the rear axle.

Secure rear axle support using tensioning strap (1) on special tool.

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Release screws (1).

Carefully lower rear axle support and remove.

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Installation:

Align rear axle support with the vehicle and lift.

Ensure the coil spring and shock absorber are correctly positioned when lifting!

Part : Replace screws (1).

Tighten screws (1).

Tightening torque 33 33 1AZ .

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Loosen tensioning strap.

Drain the special tool 31 5 251 and set it aside.

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Fasten Bowden cables (1) for parking brake to holder (2).

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Insert the parking brake Bowden cables in the caliper carrier/brake guard plate. The sleeves must be inserted as far as they will go.

The nipples of the parking brake Bowden cables must engage audibly in the brake shoe expander.

Position holder (2).

Tighten screw (1).

Tightening torque 34 41 2AZ .

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Connect connectors (1) and (2).

NOTE: Illustration shows the left side, the procedure for the right side is identical.

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Close (1) lid.

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Position cover (2).

Tighten nut (1).

NOTE: Illustration shows the left side, the procedure for the right side is identical.

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Fasten the sensor cable to the rear axle support.

Connect the plug connection (5) on the ride height sensor (1).

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Secure wiring harness for rear axle differential servomotor (1) on the rear axle support (2).

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Connect plug connection (1) for rear axle differential servomotor (2).

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Connect plug connection (3) for rear axle differential temperature sensor.

Fasten cable clip (2) of sensor cable (1) on oil sump.

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Secure cable on the holder (1) of the rear axle support on the left and right.

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Position ground strap (2) on the bolt.

Tighten nut (1).

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Support steering stub with special tool 2 358 630 and workshop jack at wheel hub.

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Part : Replace screw and nut (1).

Position the coil spring.

Raise workshop jack slowly until the screw can be inserted in the camber control arm and shock absorber.

Screw on nut (1) and tighten in normal position.

Tightening torque 33 52 3AZ .

Installation note:

Note direction of insertion of screw.

Tighten down screw connection in NORMAL POSITION .

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Lower the universal lifter and place to one side.

Remove special tool 2 358 630.

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Secure anti-roll bar link (2) on the left and right of the anti-roll bar.

Part : Replace nut (3).

Tighten nuts (3), if required counter support at Torx socket.

Tightening torque 33 55 2AZ .

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Required follow-up work:

Install propeller shaft on the rear axle differential. Refer to COMPLETELY REMOVE AND INSTALL THE PROPELLER SHAFT MADE OF STEEL (INSERTED AT THE REAR) or REMOVING AND INSTALLING CARBON PROPELLER SHAFT (INSERTED) COMPLETE .
Install tensioning strap.
Install rear propeller shaft heat shield.
Install the BRACING STRUT ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT .
Completely install the EXHAUST SYSTEM .
Install brake calipers on left and right.
Install BOTH REAR WHEELS .
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 .