Removing Air-Spring Strut

→ Wear personal protective gear.

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

Fig 1: Identifying Air-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 Securing spring compressor on front axle, top 
  Fig 2: Securing Spring Compressor 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 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 Levelling System Sensor Linkage

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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 Plug Connection

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

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4. Loosen fastening screws -arrows-  on the brake calliper, but do not unscrew and remove fully.
   Fig 7: Loosening Brake Calliper 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: Loosening Fastening Nut (Upper Trailing Arm)

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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 Upper Trailing Arm

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7. Press tie-rod ball -1-  off the wheel bearing housing.
   Fig 11: Pressing Tie-Rod Ball Off Wheel Bearing Housing

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   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.
8. Loosen connecting link from the spring strut.

   Conventional connecting link: 

   Loosen the top fastening nut -1-  .

   Remove fastening screw -3-  .

   PDCC connecting link: 

   Loosen the top fastening nut -1-  .

   Fig 12: Identifying Fastening Nuts And Screws (Conventional Connecting Link)

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   Counter at the ball pin using a screwdriver 9546  .

   Fig 13: Identifying Fastening Nuts And Screws (PDCC Connecting Link)

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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: Example Of Protective Tube

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

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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: Removing Fastening Screw On Lower Spring-Strut Mount

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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: Example Of 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. Disconnect air line for the air-spring strut.
    1. 12.1. To disconnect the air line, use the following tool → Tool for filling and bleeding air springs 
       1. 1/4-inch ratchet
       2. Extension
       3. Insert T10212 
       4. Adapter 9825 
          Fig 18: Identifying Tool For Filling And Bleeding Air Springs

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    2. 12.2. Disconnect air-spring strut line -2-  at the front right using tool -1-  .
       Fig 19: Disconnecting Air-Spring Line

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13. Remove fastening screws -arrows-  on air-spring strut at the top.
    Fig 20: Locating Fastening Screws On Air-Spring Strut, Top

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14. Carefully remove the air-spring strut.
    1. 14.1. Carefully tilt the wheel bearing housing.
    2. 14.2. A second worker removes the air-spring strut. → Removing air-spring strut 
       Fig 21: Removing Air-Spring Strut From Wheel Bearing Housing

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