Removing Front Spring Strut

→ Wear personal protective gear.

→ Do not raise the wheel suspension higher than the normal vehicle position (vehicle resting on wheels).

Steel spring strut

Fig 1: Identifying Steel Spring Strut

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Information 

Secure upper trailing arm with the spring compressor VW 552  (pre-tension slightly). This must be done immediately before loosening the spring strut from the lower trailing arm. This prevents damage to the ball joint on the upper trailing arm as a result of the weight of the wheel bearing housing.

• Secure spring compressor VW 552 at the top. → Securing spring compressor on front axle, top 
  Fig 2: Securing Spring Compressor On Front Axle (Top)

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• Secure spring compressor VW 552 at the bottom. → Securing spring compressor on front axle, bottom 
  Fig 3: Securing Spring Compressor On Front Axle (Bottom)

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1. Remove linkage -1-  for headlight levelling system sensor on the upper trailing arm. -arrow- 
   Fig 4: Removing Headlight Leveling System Sensor

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2. Release and disconnect plug connection for rpm sensor at the wheel carrier on both sides. → Rpm sensor connector 
   Fig 5: Removing RPM Sensor Connector

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3. Disconnect plug-in coupling for brake pad wear indicator -1-  and detach it from the holder -2-  .
   Fig 6: Disconnecting Plug-In Coupling For Brake Pad Wear Indicator

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4. Loosen fastening screws -arrows-  on the brake calliper, but do not unscrew and remove fully.
   Fig 7: Removing Brake Caliper Fastening Screws

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5. Remove air guide -1-  on the lower trailing arm.
   Fig 8: Identifying Air Guide On Lower Trailing Arm

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6. Press upper trailing arm off the wheel bearing housing.
   1. 6.1. Secure the wheel bearing housing to prevent it from falling down (second mechanic required).
   2. 6.2. Loosen fastening nut -1-  (do not remove completely). When doing this, leave lock nut flush on the ball pin so as not to damage the thread.
      Fig 9: Pressing Upper Trailing Arm Off Wheel Bearing Housing

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   3. 6.3. Ball joint puller T40010  must be positioned over the ball joint and fitted on the fastening nut.
   4. 6.4. Screw in hexagon on the ball joint puller T40010  until the ball joint becomes detached from the cone.
      Fig 10: Pressing Off Upper Trailing Arm

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7. Press tie-rod ball -1-  off the wheel bearing housing.
   1. 7.1. Loosen fastening nut -3-  (do not remove completely). When doing this, leave lock nut flush on the ball pin so as not to damage the thread.
   2. 7.2. Ball joint puller T10187 -2-  must be positioned over the tie-rod ball -1-  and fitted on the fastening nut -3-  .
   3. 7.3. Screw in hexagon on the ball joint puller T10187  until the tie-rod ball -1-  becomes detached from the cone.
   4. 7.4. Remove fastening nut -3-  and take tie-rod ball out of the cone.
   Fig 11: Pressing Tie-Rod Ball On Wheel Bearing Housing
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8. Loosen connecting link from the spring strut.

   Conventional connecting link: 

   Loosen the top fastening nut -1-  .

   Remove fastening screw -3-  .

   Fig 12: Identifying Conventional Connecting Link, Nut And Screw

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   PDCC connecting link: 

   Loosen the top fastening nut -1-  .

   Counter at the ball pin using a screwdriver 9546  .

   Fig 13: Identifying PDCC Connecting Link, Nut And Screw

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9. For all-wheel drive vehicles: Loosen drive shaft at the transmission side.
   1. 9.1. Use a protective tube (shop-made) -1-  for the drive shaft.
      Fig 14: Identifying Protective Tube

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   2. 9.2. Loosen fastening screws -arrows-  using socket insert XZN 10 T10501  .
      Fig 15: Locating Transmission Drive Shaft Mounting Screws

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10. Remove fastening screw on lower spring strut.
    1. 10.1. Remove fastening screw on lower spring strut -arrows-  .
       Fig 16: Locating Lower Spring-Strut Mount Nut

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    2. 10.2. To do this, use a suitable lift -lift with rubber base-  (to prevent slipping) to raise the wheel carrier so that the screw can be unscrewed easily. (Secure spring compressor VW 552  to prevent it from falling down!).
       Fig 17: Raising Wheel Carrier

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11. Remove brake calliper and hang it in the wheel housing.
    1. 11.1. Loosen fastening screws -arrows-  on the brake calliper, but do not remove the brake line. (Do not open the brake system!)
    2. 11.2. A second worker must remove the fastening nut from the upper trailing arm and tilt the wheel bearing housing out slightly.
    3. 11.3. Guide the brake calliper through between the spring strut and wheel bearing housing and suspend it at a suitable position in the wheel housing. Secure the wheel carrier to prevent it from tipping over using welding wire for example.
12. Remove fastening screws -arrows-  on spring strut at the top.
    Fig 18: Locating Upper Spring-Strut Mount Nut

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13. Carefully remove the spring strut.
    1. 13.1. Carefully tilt the wheel bearing housing.
    2. 13.2. Get a second worker to remove the spring strut. → Removing spring strut 
       Fig 19: Removing Spring Strut

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