Suspension Strut, Removing And Installing: Removing
The following information describes the removing and installing on the left side of the vehicle as an example.
The Left Front ABS Wheel Speed Sensor -G47- and Right Front ABS Wheel Speed Sensor -G45- will be called front speed sensor in the information that follows.
-- Loosen drive axle bolt on the wheel hub. Refer to DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .
Damage to the wheel bearing from the vehicle weight with the wheel-side drive axle threaded connection loose.
- Do not load the wheel bearing if the wheel-side drive axle threaded connection is loose.
- Vehicles without drive axle may not be moved when resting on its wheels. Otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged. If the vehicle has to be moved, pay attention to the following: install the outer joint. Tighten the outer joint to 120 Nm.
-- Loosen the wheel bolts.
-- Raise the vehicle.
-- Remove the wheel.
-- Remove the nut -arrow- and the coupling rod -1- from the suspension strut.
-- Disengage the wire for the front speed sensor from the suspension strut.
Vehicles with Level Control System Sensor
-- Press the pins -arrows- inward and remove the expanding rivets -2-.
-- Remove the trim panel -1-.
-- Remove the nut -1-.
-- Remove the bracket -2- for the Left Front Level Control System Sensor -G78- or Right Front Level Control Sensor -G289- from the control arm -3-.
Continuation for all vehicles
-- Remove the nuts -arrows-.
-- Remove the wheel bearing housing with the ball joint from the control arm.
-- Remove the drive axle outer joint from the wheel hub.
If the drive axle cannot be pulled out of the wheel bearing, then the drive axle can be pushed out of the wheel bearing using the Drive Shaft Remover:T10520A .
Before using the Drive Shaft Remover:T10520A , make sure that the thrust piece -1- is installed.
Using the Drive Shaft Remover: T10520A :
-- Attach the Drive Shaft Remover:T10520A -1- to the wheel hub using three wheel bolts -2-. Press out the drive axle -3-.
-- Follow the specified sequence exactly.
I - Tighten the knurled nut -1- hand-tight.
II - Only turn the bolt -2- using a wrench. Remove the drive axle using the Drive Shaft Remover:T10520A .
At the end of the tasks or to set back, the spindles must be brought back into the original position so that the hydraulic operation can be used.
-- Secure the drive axle to the body using a wire.
The drive axle must not hang down, otherwise the inner joint will be damaged by over bending.
Vehicles with Adaptive Ride Control
-- Disconnect the connector -1- from the shock absorber -2-.
If there is moisture in the connector area, blow compressed air on the contacts on the shock absorber and the connectors.
Continuation for all vehicles
-- Secure the Engine and Gearbox Jack: VAS 6931 -B- and Support Device: VAS 6931/1 -A- to the brake rotor -1- with two wheel bolts -2-.
-- Raise the Engine and Gearbox Jack: VAS 6931 slightly.
- The load must be removed from the suspension strut bolts.
There is a risk of an accident when lowering or lifting the vehicle when the engine and gearbox jack is underneath it.
- Never lift or lower the vehicle when the engine and gearbox jack is underneath it. The vehicle could slip off the hoist.
- Never leave the engine and gearbox jack under the vehicle any longer than necessary.
-- Disconnect the threaded connection for the wheel bearing housing/suspension strut -arrow-.
-- Insert Spreader Tool:3424 into the wheel bearing housing.
Pay attention that the Spreader Tool:3424 is only inserted in the wheel bearing housing. Only insert it far enough that the suspension strut metal retainer is not damaged.
-- Turn the ratchet 90° and remove it from the Spreader Tool:3424 .
-- Press the brake rotor toward the suspension strut by hand.
Otherwise the shock absorber tube could tilt in the wheel bearing housing hole.
-- Lower the wheel bearing housing -1- using the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS 6931 in the -direction of the arrow-.
-- Lower the wheel bearing housing -1- so that the shock absorber tube hangs freely -arrow-.
-- Fasten the ball joint to the control arm again and secure the wheel bearing housing to the subframe.
-- Remove the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS 6931
There is a risk of an accident when lowering or lifting the vehicle when the engine and gearbox jack is underneath it.
- Never lift or lower the vehicle when the engine and gearbox jack is underneath it.
- Never leave the engine and gearbox jack under the vehicle any longer than necessary.
-- Remove the seal from the entire length of the plenum chamber cover.
-- Remove the clips.
-- Lift the plenum chamber cover -1- to maximum 60 mm.
a - 60 mm
-- Remove the bolts -1- for upper shock absorber mount and remove the suspension strut.