Remove/install front spring - AR32.20-P-0200RT

MODELS 251 except CODE (489) Airmatic (air suspension with level adjustment and adaptive damping system ADS) 

Fig 1: Identifying Front Spring Remove/Install Components

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

	Remove
	Risk of death  caused by vehicle slipping or toppling off of the lifting platform.	Align vehicle between the columns of the lifting platform and position the four support plates at the lifting platform support points specified by the vehicle manufacturer.	AS00.00-Z-0010-01A
	Risk of injury  caused by pinching or crushing  when working on springs or spring bodies that are under load	Use only approved tensioning devices; shield off hazard area if necessary. Inspect special tools for damage and proper operation (visual inspection). Wear protective gloves.	AS00.00-Z-0001-01A
	Notes on self-locking nuts and bolts	All models	AH00.00-N-0001-01A
	Notes on adjusting the vehicle level at the front axle	The vehicle level must be adjusted if the values are outside the tolerance during the measurement of vehicle level. The following should be observed here: The vehicle level is reduced by removing spacer rings or increased by adding spacer rings between the spring (7) and the bottom spring seat (12). If the spring seat (4) and/or spring (7) and/or shock absorber (11) have to be replaced after testing, then the suspension strut is first to be installed in the vehicle without spacer rings and the vehicle level measured again. If the values are still outside the tolerance after a further level measurement, the suspension strut must be removed again and the vehicle level adjusted.
1	Remove front suspension strut		AR32.25-P-1017RT
	Disassemble/assemble
2	Clamp tensioning device (10) in a vise, insert clamping plate (8) and clamping plate (9)	Tensioning device	Fig 4
		Tensioning plates	Fig 3
3	Insert suspension strut into tensioning device (10)	Insert suspension strut to clamp as many coils on the spring (7) as possible. Mark the position of all parts of the suspension strut relative to each other.
		Tensioning device	Fig 4
		Tensioning plates	Fig 3
4	Clamp spring (7) until the upper spring cup (3) is relieved of load.	The tensioning device (10) must be clamped and unclamped using a fork wrench or box wrench. No pneumatic or electrically driven tools may be used.
		Tensioning device	Fig 4
		Tensioning plates	Fig 3
5	Remove cap (1)
6	Unscrew mounting nut (2), remove shock absorber (11) and if necessary spacer rings from the spring (7)	Counterhold piston rod using socket wrench.
			*BA32.25-P-1003-01H
		Socket wrench	Fig 2
7	Remove bellows (6) and stop damper (5) from the spring (7)
8	Release tensioning device (10) and remove spring (7) with upper spring cup (3) and spring seat (4)	The tensioning device (10) must be clamped and unclamped using a fork wrench or box wrench. No pneumatic or electrically driven tools may be used.
	Check
9	Check shock absorber (11)	Check shock absorber (11) for external damage, external and internal leaks, replace shock absorber (11) if necessary.	AR32.25-P-0121A
10	Check bellows (6), stop damper (5) and spring seat (4) for signs of wear	Replace any components with oil contamination, cracks or deformation.
	Adjust
11.1	Remove spacer rings between the spring (7) and bottom spring seat (12) to reduce the vehicle level or add to increase the vehicle level	Only if the vehicle level is to be adjusted at the front axle without replacing the spring seat (4) and/or the spring (7) and/or the shock absorber (11). If the spring seat (4) and/or spring (7) and/or shock absorber (11) are replaced, all the spacer rings fitted during removal must be left out.
12	Assemble in reverse order	Assemble the suspension strut so that the upper spring cup (3) is mounted in the correct position. Observe markings.
	Install
13	Install front suspension strut, measure vehicle level and adjust if necessary		AR32.25-P-1017RT
14.1	Adjust the zero position of the xenon headlamps	On vehicles with bi-xenon headlamp unit with integrated curve illumination, code 615.
	Connect STAR DIAGNOSIS and read out fault memory		AD00.00-P-2000-04A
		STAR DIAGNOSIS diagnosis system	*WH58.30-Z-1048-13A
15	Check headlamp adjustment and correct if necessary
	Check and correct headlamp adjustment		AP82.10-P-8260RT

Fig 2: Identifying Socket Wrench (164 589 00 10 00)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Fig 3: Identifying Tensioning Plates (169 589 02 63 00)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Fig 4: Identifying Tensioning Device (203 589 01 31 00)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA