Sport
Rear suspension strut, repairing
WARNING
^ As assembled, the coil spring is compressed and under load.
^ Avoid personal injury by using a suitable Spring compressor tool when servicing the coil spring assembly.
NOTE:
^ If the tools shown in the illustrations are unavailable, spring compressor US 1117 or an equivalent tool can be used.
^ Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the tool you are using.
^ Install suspension strut in spring compressor
1 Self-Locking Nut
- Always replace
- Tighten to: 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.)
2 Stop Plate
3 Stop Ring
4 Strut Adapter
- Left and right sides different
- Attached marking tab (left side: rounded, right side: square) points outward
5 Rubber Mounting
- Insert locating knobs in adapter recess during installation
6 Upper Spring Seat
7 Shock Absorber Bracket Ring
8 Damping Ring
9 Bump Stop
- Note different types
- Imprint on data plate indicates:
- 1BE = Sports version
10 Protective Sleeve
11 Coil Spring
- Can be replaced individually
- Note different types.
- Refer to vehicle data plate for spring type before replacing
- Color code on spring points to lower spring seat
- Install on lower spring seat so the end of spring coil contacts spring seat stop
- Spring end of coil spring must cover all three holes in upper spring seat
12 Protective Cap
- Install on shock absorber
13 Lower Spring Seat
- Installation position Fig. 1 below
14 Gas Pressure Shock Absorber
- Can be replaced individually
- Note different types
- Shock absorber shaft. thread size 12 mm
- Use proper disposal procedures for removed shock absorbers before scrapping
- Checking gas-filled shock absorbers (removed) as follows:
- Compress shock absorber by hand.
- Resistance must be even and smooth over entire stroke
- Release shock absorber shaft.
- If gas pressure in the shock absorber is adequate, piston rod will return by itself to the starting position.
- If not, the shock absorbers do not necessarily need to be replaced.
- Unless there has been a significant loss of oil, a gas-filled shock absorber will continue to perform in the same way as a conventional shock absorber.
Fig. 1 - Installation Position Of Lower Spring Seat
- Coil spring stop must align with shock absorber mounting eye.
Fig. 2 - Installation Position Of Lower Spring Seat
- Coil spring stop (on lower spring seat) aligns with shock absorber mounting eye.
- Illustration shows right-side strut; on left-side strut, lower spring seat coil spring stop points downward.
- a - Coil spring
- b - Lower spring seat
- c - Spring cylinder (shock absorber mounting eye)
Fig. 3 - Installation Of Bearing With Locating Tab For Upper Spring Seat
NOTE:
^ Left.-side strut: locating tab -A- (arrow) on bearing points to -L- on upper spring seat, as shown.
^ Right-side strut: locating tab -A- on bearing points to -R- on upper spring seat.
Fig. 4 - Strut Adapter To Bearing With Locating Tab
- Install so locating tab engages in recess on strut adapter (arrow).
DISASSEMBLY
1. Clamp spring compressor VAG 1752/2, or equivalent, in vise.
2. Install strut in spring compressor.
3. Pre-compress coil spring with spring compressor VAG 1752/1, or equivalent, far enough so upper spring seat is free.
- Make sure coil spring is correctly seated in adapter VAG 1752/3, or equivalent, (arrow).
4. Using wrench tool 3077, or equivalent, counterhold with hex wrench and remove self-locking nuts from shock absorber shaft.
5. Remove individual parts corresponding to suspension version.
6. Remove coil spring with spring compressor.
7. Pull shock absorber protective cap upward.
8. Drive lower spring seat off shock absorber using plastic faced hammer.
9. Remove malfunctioning shock absorber from spring compressor.
NOTE: Use proper disposal procedures for removed shock absorbers before scrapping.
ASSEMBLY
1. Clamp new shock absorber in spring compressor.
2. Install lower spring seat on shock absorber and make sure that coil spring stop -a- is aligned with shock absorber mounting eye-b-.
NOTE:
^ Illustration shows a right-side strut.
^ In correct assembly with strut installed in vehicle, the spring coil end stop points to the front on the right-side strut and to the rear on the left.-side strut.
3. Press protective cap onto shock absorber to stop.
4. Install precompressed coil spring on shock absorber, so end of spring coil contacts spring seat stop (arrow).
NOTE: Make sure the color mark on the coil spring points to lower spring seat.
5. Slide bump stop with protective sleeve onto shock absorber shaft. to stop.
6. Pull shock absorber shaft. out of shock absorber.
7. Install damping ring on coil spring so end of spring coil contacts stop on damping ring (arrow).
8. Install individual parts corresponding to sports version.
9. Thread new self-locking nuts loosely onto shock absorber shaft. by hand.
10. Bring upper stop from spring compressor up and into position above upper spring seat and/or strut adapter.
11. Insert both studs for the lever arm (arrows) into holes in upper spring seat or strut adapter and fasten.
12. Tighten all clamping levers for spring compressor upper stop.
13. Loosen clamping lever and turn upper spring plate and/or strut adapter until pointer points to 6 ± 2° on degree scale of spring compressor.
- L - Position of pointer for left. strut (counterclockwise)
- R - Position of pointer for right strut (clockwise)
14. Tighten clamping lever (arrow).
15. Tighten nut on shock absorber shaft to: 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.)
16. Release tension on coil spring carefully, make sure coil spring, damping ring and upper spring are correctly seated.
- As soon as spring compressor is free, stop and remove spring compressor from coil spring.
17. Unscrew stop device lever arm and remove.
18. Remove strut from spring compressor VAG 1752 or equivalent.