33 52 131 Replacing Rear Left Or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber

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Special tools required:

31 3 340
31 3 341
31 3 357

IMPORTANT: When replacing shock absorber/spring strut, renew auxiliary damper!

NOTE: Before using the special tool 31 3 340 take care to read through the Owner's Handbook! All the safety information and instructions contained in the Owner's Handbook must be strictly observed! Failure to observe these safety precautions and instructions increases the risk of serious physical injury, damage to your health and damage to property and equipment!

IMPORTANT: Observe the following instructions to avoid any risk of injury by the coil springs.

Prior to each use, check the special tools for defects, modifications and operational reliability.
Damaged/modified special tools must not be used!
No changes or modifications may be made to the special tools!
These special tools are intended solely for the purpose of tightening and relieving cylindrical and tapered suspension springs.
Keep special tools dry, clean and free of grease.
Impact screwdrivers may not be used!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove rear spring strut shock absorber .

Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 357 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until locking pins (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Check seating of special tools 31 3 357, correct if necessary.

Fig 1: Clamping Special Tool (31 3 341) In Vice

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WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 357 when tensioned!
Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Clean coil spring to remove all coarse dirt and mount on special tools 31 3 357.

Fig 2: Compressing Coil Spring Using Special Tools (31 3 357)

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Mark installation position of support bearing to spring strut shock absorber using a stud (arrow).

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Release nut (gripping piston rod in the process).

Remove plate and support bearing with upper spring pad.

Remove spring strut shock absorber with support pot, rear auxiliary damper, protective tube and lower spring pad sideways from tensioned coil spring.

Fig 3: Removing Strut Shock Absorber Nut

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If necessary, remove support cup, auxiliary damper (1) with protective tube and spring pad (2) from shock absorber.

Fig 4: Identifying Rear Auxiliary Damper With Protective Tube

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Relieve tension on coil spring and remove from special tools 31 3 357.

Fig 5: Relieve Tension On Coil Spring And Remove From Special Tools 31 3 357

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Accommodate coil spring with special tools 31 3 357 in such a way that both ends of coil spring are approx. one coil (W) outside of special tools 31 3 357.

Fig 6: Identifying Coil Spring And Special Tools 31 3 357

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WARNING: Do not compress coil spring to full extent. Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 357!

Tension coil spring.

Fig 7: Identifying Special Tools 31 3 357 Onto Coil Spring

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Check auxiliary damper (1) with protective tube and spring pad (2) for damage, replace if necessary.

Fig 8: Identifying Lower Spring Pad And Damper

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Attach support cup to piston rod. Replacement only: Carry over marking from old part to new part. Insert shock absorber in tensioned coil spring.

Fig 9: Attaching Support Cup To Piston Rod

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Check support bearing for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach support bearing and plate to piston rod. Replace nut and tighten down (gripping piston rod in so doing). Tightening torque 33 52 2AZ .

Fig 10: Replace Nut And Tighten Down

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IMPORTANT: One threaded pin (1) on the support bearing must be on one plane with the bore in the rubber mount (2) and the opposite side of the bush (3).

Fig 11: Identifying Threaded Pin, Rubber Mount And Bush

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IMPORTANT: Align support bearing by way of spring pad to end of coil spring.

Fig 12: Aligning Support Bearing To Coil Spring

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IMPORTANT: Lower end of coil spring must rest on stop of spring pad!

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Fig 13: Ensure Coil Spring Is Correctly Seated In Spring Pad

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