Removing 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 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 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. Disconnect electric lines on front air-spring strut -3-  .

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   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-  .

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   Air line

2. 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.

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   Mounting for air-spring strut, top

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

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   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) 

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      Protective tube (example)

   2. 3.2 Remove threaded joint -2-  .
4. 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 

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      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.

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         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.

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         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.

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   Pulling out drive shaft using a tyre iron

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

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   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:

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

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   Removing air-spring strut and drive shaft