31 31 031 Replacing front spring strut shock absorber on right or left

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Notes

IMPORTANT:

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

WARNING: 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:

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 (down to the spindle) free from grease.
Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Necessary preliminary work

Remove FRONT SPRING STRUT .

Removing

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 with guide (1) in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 351 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until retaining bolts (2) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Check seating of special tools 31 3 351 and, if necessary, correct.

Fig 1: Identifying Guide, Retaining Bolts And Special Tools

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WARNING: Coils of coil spring must be located completely in recesses of special tools 31 3 351 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 3 351.

Turn spring strut until end of coil spring (1) points upwards.

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.

Fig 2: Identifying Coil Spring With Special Tool (31 3 351)

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WARNING: Nut may only be released when the upper and lower coils of the coil spring are located completely in the recess of the spring holder!

Fig 3: Releasing Nut Using Special Tool (31 2 210)

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Take off protective cap.

Release nut with special tool 31 2 210 and; if necessary, grip piston rod with spanner.

Remove support bearing (1), shim and upper spring cup (2).

Remove spring strut (3) with auxiliary damper and protective tube sideways from tensioned coil spring.

Fig 4: Identifying Support Bearing, Upper Spring Cup And Spring Strut

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Remove auxiliary damper (1) with protective tube (2) and lower spring pad (3) from shock absorber.

Installation

Check auxiliary damper (1), protective tube (2) and lower spring pad (3) for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach lower spring pad (3) to spring cup.

Attach auxiliary damper (1) with protective tube (2) to piston rod.

Fig 5: Identifying Auxiliary Damper With Protective Tube And Lower Spring Pad

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NOTE: Make sure rubber knob (2) is correctly positioned in spring cup bore.

1 = Lower spring pad

Fig 6: Identifying Lower Spring Pad With Rubber Knob

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Insert spring strut (3) in tensioned coil spring.

Check upper spring pad for damage, replace if necessary.

Connect upper spring cup (2), shim and support bearing (1) to piston rod.

Fig 7: Identifying Support Bearing, Upper Spring Cup And Spring Strut

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NOTE: Mount shim (1) and dust sleeve (2) correctly between support bearing and upper spring cup.

Fig 8: Identifying Shim And Dust Sleeve

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Replace nut, screw onto piston rod and tighten down with special tool 31 2 210.

Tightening torque 31 31 2AZ .

Fit cover cap.

Fig 9: Releasing Nut Using Special Tool (31 2 210)

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NOTE: End of coil spring (2) at top must rest on indentation in upper spring cup and spring pad.

Check installation position of protective tube (1), correct if necessary.

Fig 10: Identifying Protective Tube And Coil Spring

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NOTE: End of lower coil spring (1) must rest on stop of spring pad (2).

Fig 11: Identifying Lower Coil Spring And Spring Pad

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Align all components correctly to each other and relive tension on coil spring.

Fig 12: Identifying Coil Spring

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After installation

Carry out wheel alignment . See 3200150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH VEHICLE LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or 3200155 KDS WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT VEHICLE LOAD if a spring strut with support bearing was or has been installed without centering pin.