Installing Front Air-Spring Strut

Information 

To prevent damage to the air springs, pay particular attention to the following points when handling air springs:

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Supporting the air-spring strut only at the marked positions

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Do not lift off/turn air spring

• Never empty air springs completely. This applies to both installed and removed air springs. Air springs must only be bled as described under 

  > WM, 430117 BLEEDING AND FILLING THE LEVELLING SYSTEM 

• An air spring is depressurized if the pressure in the air spring is less than 1.5 bar. 
• Never lower a vehicle with empty air springs. 
• Air-spring struts must be installed in the vehicle within one year. 
• Do not set the air-spring strut down on/against the control valves connectors, air connection or screw dome. 
• Do not set the air-spring strut down on/against the air connection/screw dome. 
• The air-spring strut may only be supported on the cover and on the damper fork -1-  .
• Never turn the air spring or lift it off the shock absorber.  > Do not lift off/turn air spring. Do not lift off/turn air spring 

1. Only for right drive shaft  : Replace shaft sealing ring in the final drive.

   > WM, 395955 REPLACING SEALING RING FOR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE FLANGE SHAFT

2. Only for right drive shaft:  Replace circlip -1-  on the drive shaft.

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   Circlip

3. Only for left drive shaft:  Replace circlip -1-  and sealing ring -2-  on the front final drive shaft.

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   Circlip and sealing ring

   Information 

   • Molub Alloy Paste TA can be ordered using the Porsche Electronic Parts Information (PET). 
4. Only for left drive shaft:  Grease splines on the drive shaft with Molub Alloy Paste TA > Greasing splines 

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   Greasing splines

   Information 

   Always avoid the following when fitting/removing the air-spring strut:

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   Do not lift off/turn air spring

   • Lifting the air spring off the shock absorber. 
   • Turning the air spring with respect to the shock absorber. 
5. Move air-spring strut together with drive shaft into installation position -arrow A/B-  .

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   Moving air-spring strut and drive shaft into installation position

   Information 

   • Make sure not to damage the sealing ring when guiding the drive shaft into the final drive. 
   • Check that the profile splines on the drive shaft and transmission side interlock securely! 
   • The use of an impact tool is not permitted. 
   1. 5.1 Fit drive shaft into the front final drive with a quick jerking movement.
6. Fit air-spring strut -1-  at the top.

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   Mounting for air-spring strut, top

   1. 6.1 Get another person to help by holding the spring strut and drive shaft.
   2. 6.2 Tighten nuts -4-  > Initial tightening 40 Nm (30 ftlb.)  > Final tightening + 45° 

      Information 

      Check the following before installing the air line:

      • Check that the cutting ring -1-  and Voss threaded joint -2-  are still on the air line -3-  .
      • Check that the air line is fitted correctly.

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      Checking air line

      Only one marking -1-  on the air line should be visible.

      Pull the air line briefly against the insertion direction. If it cannot be pulled out, the air line is fitted correctly.

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      Checking that air line is fitted correctly

   3. 6.3 Connect air line and tighten Voss threaded joint -3-  > Tightening torque 5 Nm (3.5 ftlb.) 
   4. 6.4 Connect and lock electric plug connection -2-  .
7. Fit spring strut on the lower trailing arm -1-  .

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   Mounting for spring strut on lower trailing arm

   1. 7.1 Install threaded joint -2-  (do not tighten!).
   2. 7.2 Remove protective tube (shop-made) from the drive shaft.
8. Secure electric lines to the front air-spring strut -3-  .

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   Electric lines on front air-spring strut

   1. 8.1 Connect and lock electric plug connections -1-  .
   2. 8.2 Secure electric line to the brackets -2-  .