Removing Front Air-Spring Strut

Information 

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

Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Supporting the air-spring strut only to the marked positions

Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 

  > 430117 BLEEDING AND FILLING THE LEVELLING SYSTEM 

• An air spring is depressurised 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  t.d 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. Disconnect electric lines on front air-spring strut -3-  .

   Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

   Electric lines on front air-spring strut

   1. 1.1 Release and unplug electric plug connections -1-  .
   2. 1.2 Remove electric line from brackets -2-  .
      CAUTION: Escaping residual air 

      • Risk of eye injuries 

        → Wear protective goggles.

      Information 

      The cutting ring -1-  and Voss threaded joint -2-  must remain on the air line -3-  .

      Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

      Air line

   3. Slowly unscrew Voss threaded joint on the air line -3-  and pull off air line. Do not unscrew Voss threaded joint fully until residual pressure has escaped.

      Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

      Mounting for air-spring strut, top

   4. Remove spring strut on the lower trailing arm -1-  .

      Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

      Mounting for spring strut on lower trailing arm

      1. 3.1 On vehicles with all-wheel drive, fit protective tube (shop-made) on the drive shaft to prevent damage due to contact with the spring strut prongs. > Protective tube (example) 

         Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

         Protective tube (example)

      2. 3.2 Remove threaded joint -2-  .
   5. Remove drive shaft on front final drive.
      1. 4.1 Only for left drive shaft:  Tap drive shaft -1-  out of the front final drive using a hammer and aluminium or brass mandrel (fit mandrel on the tripod housing) > Tapping left drive shaft out of front final drive 

         Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

         Tapping left drive shaft out of front final drive

      2. 4.2 Only for right drive shaft:  Pull drive shaft out of the front final drive using a tyre iron.
         1. 4.2.1 Break off protective ring -1-  using side cutters.

            Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

            Protective ring on drive shaft

         2. 4.2.2 Pull out drive shaft as far as required at the tripod with your hand to make a gap for fitting the tyre iron.

            Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

            Pulling out drive shaft with your hand

         3. 4.2.3 Carefully fit the tyre iron -1-  at the gap between the front final drive and tripod and pull out the drive shaft.

            Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

            Pulling out drive shaft using a tyre iron

   6. Remove air-spring strut -1-  at the top

      Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

      Mounting for air-spring strut, top

      1. 5.1 Release and unplug electric plug connection -2-  .
      2. 5.2 Get another person to help by holding the spring strut.
      3. 5.3 Unscrew nuts -4-  .

         Information 

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

      Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

      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. 
   7. Swivel air-spring strut down -arrow A-  and remove air-spring strut together with the drive shaft -arrow B-  .

      Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

      Removing air-spring strut and drive shaft