Disassembling Rear Spring Strut

Information 

The pictures shown in this document may differ from the original.

Information 

The air-spring strut is empty if the rubber bellows can be pressed in slightly.

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Checking air bellows (shown as an example)

The next sections describe the spring struts with and without PASM.

1. On vehicles with PASM, push both grommets on the connector cable to one side.

   Information 

   Note the cable routing in the connector so that the cables can be inserted at the same position again during re-installation.

2. Vehicles with PASM: Loosen the lock in the connector and unpin both cables from the connector. > Nr.155 Pos.1 - Press-out tool set  can be used to pull off the connector.
3. Vehicles with PASM: Remove the grommets by opening the grommets slightly using a commercially available Seeger circlip ring pliers. This makes it easier to pull the pins through the grommets. > Opening grommet slightly using Seeger circlip ring pliers (shown as an example) 

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   Opening grommet slightly using Seeger circlip ring pliers (shown as an example)

4. To make assembly easier, mark the spring strut using chalk for example. Make the marking on the cover, air spring and shock absorber. >

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   Marking air-spring strut before disassembly

5. Use a > 3186 - socket-wrench insert to loosen the nut on the piston rod.

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   If the shock absorber needs to be replaced, the shock absorber mounting can remain fitted.

6. If you intend to use the shock absorber again, slide a piece of hose (shop-made) over the cable. This prevents damage to the PASM cable during removal. > Removing/fitting hose (shop-made) (shown as an example) 

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   Removing/fitting hose (shop-made) (shown as an example)

   1. 6.1 Slide the hose (shop-made) onto the hexagon on the piston rod. > Hose (shop-made) (shown as an example) 

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   Hose (shop-made) (shown as an example)

7. Clamp the air-spring strut in the vice at the lower mounting point (use aluminum protective jaws!).
8. Only if replacing the shock absorber mounting:  Loosen the four fastening screws on the cover evenly and remove the cover.
9. Loosen and remove the clamp. -arrow- 

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   Clamp on boot/bellows (shown as an example)

10. Pull off the boot: Take care not to damage the outer guide on the air spring. Insert a screwdriver carefully  between the air spring housing and boot/bellows if necessary. Pull the boot down as far as possible. This makes fitting easier for the next steps.
11. > Nr.121 Pos.1 - Spring tensioner with > Nr.121-1 Pos.2 - tensioning plate  at the bottom and > Nr.121-1 Pos.5 - tensioning plate  at the top must be used.
    1. 11.1 Spring strut clamped in the vice: Position the bottom tensioning plate on the vice.
    2. 11.2 Protect the top tensioning plate on the rolling piston on the air spring with a lint-free cloth, for example, and insert it. -inset- 

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       Inserting spring tensioner (shown as an example)

    3. 11.3 A second mechanic is required: Holding the air spring at the top cover prevents the rolling piston from becoming inverted. Carefully screw the spring tensioner apart until the rolling piston slips off the safety catch.

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       Pressing air spring with rolling piston off the safety catch for the shock absorber (front spring strut shown as an example)

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       Air spring with rolling piston pressed off the safety catch for the shock absorber (safety catch visible) (front spring strut shown as an example)

    4. 11.4 Remove the air spring -2-  , slide the bellows down and secure it (second mechanic required!). Grasp the rolling piston -1-  and remove it upward from the shock absorber by turning it slightly to the left/right.

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Air-spring strut rolling piston