Removing Trailing Arm - Vehicles With Air Suspension

NOTIFICATION 

Air springs can become kinked/fall out 

• Risk of damage to air springs 

  → Deactivate the levelling system before raising the vehicle.

  → Check the bellows before lowering the vehicle.

Information 

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

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Air spring

• Never lower a vehicle with empty air springs. 
• Do not pull the air spring apart. 
• Do not bend the air spring out of shape (the air spring can be bent by < 2 0°). 
• Do not lift the air spring at the electric connector. 
• Carefully hold the air spring only at the top and bottom of the cover -1- or at the protective bellows -2-  .

Information 

The procedure for removing and installing is described for one side as an example.

1. Release and disconnect electric plug connection

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   Electric plug connection on air spring bellows

   Information 

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

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2. Disconnect air line -1-  from air spring bellows.

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   Threaded joint for air line

   1. 2.1  Compress the relevant air spring bellows -Arrows-  until the threaded joint -2-  for the air line -1-  is accessible.
   2. 2.2  Unscrew threaded joint -2-  .
3. Remove rear axle trim panel

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   Rear axle trim panel

   1. 3.1  Remove clips -2-  .
      1. 3.1.1  Carefully release and remove locating pins (without force).

         If the locating pin cannot be removed very easily, you can very carefully tap out the locating pin from the back using a suitable pin driver and a small hammer.

         Replace damaged clips.

   2. 3.2  Remove rear axle trim panel -1-  by pulling it downwards.
4. Loosen trailing arm

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   Trailing arm - vehicles with air suspension

   1. 4.1  Lift wheel suspension using lifting equipment (e.g. > VAS 6931 - engine and gearbox jack)  so that the trailing arm screws can be loosened.
   2. 4.2  To make adjustment easier following installation: Mark the position of the eccentric threaded joint.
   3. 4.3  Unscrew screw securing trailing arm to rear axle housing -2-  and counter at the nut -3-  at the same time.
   4. 4.4  Unscrew screw securing shock absorber to trailing arm -4-  and counter at the nut -5-  at the same time.
5. Remove trailing arm

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   Trailing arm - vehicles with air suspension

   1. 5.1  Unscrew screw securing trailing arm to wheel bearing housing -6-  and counter at the nut -7-  at the same time.
   2. 5.2  Guide trailing arm -1-  down out of the rear axle housing.
   3. 5.3  Remove trailing arm -1-  together with air spring bellows.
6. Disconnect trailing arm from air spring bellows

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   Air spring bellows

   1. 6.1  Press fastening lugs -2-  together and remove air spring bellows -1-  from trailing arm.