Standard
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: 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.)
2 Bonded Rubber Bushing
- Install with talcum
3 Upper Spring Seat
4 Damping Ring
- Install with talcum
- Left. and right sides different
- Installation position, refer to Fig. 1
5 Spacer Tube
6 Washer
7 Bump Stop
- Install in protective sleeve
8 Protective Sleeve
9 Coil Spring
- Can be replaced individually Parts catalog microfiche
- Refer to vehicle data plate for spring type before replacing
- Imprint on vehicle data plate:
- 1BA = Standard version
- Color code on spring points to lower spring seat
- Install on lower spring seat so the end of the spring coil contacts spring seat stop
- Ends of coil spring must cover all three holes in upper spring seat
10 Protective Cap
- Install on shock absorber
11 Lower Spring Seat
- With stop for coil spring
- Installation position, refer to Fig. 2
12 Shock Absorber
- Can be replaced individually
- Shock absorber shaft. thread size: 10 mm
- Use proper disposal procedures for removed shock absorbers before scrapping
- Before replacing, check vehicle identification plate
- Imprint on vehicle data plate:
- 1BA = Standard version
NOTE: Vehicles with sports suspension are equipped with gas shock absorbers.
- Checking conventional shock absorbers (removed) as follows:
- Hold shock absorber upright.
- Check operation by extending and compressing by hand.
- Resistance must be even and smooth over entire stroke
- Shock absorbers that have been stored for a long period of time may need to be pumped several times.
- Faulty shock absorbers make thumping noises while driving.
- If shock absorbers are working properly, slight traces of oil on shock absorber do not necessarily mean it must be replaced.
- Too much oil lost will result in a "flat spot" during extension and compression.
Fig. 1 - Installation Position Of Damping Ring
- Both tabs of the damping ring (arrows) must contact spring seat.
Fig. 2 - Installation Position Of Lower Spring Seat
- Coil spring stop must align with shock absorber mounting eye.
DISASSEMBLY
1. Clamp spring compressor tool No. VAG 1752/2, or equivalent, in vise.
2. Install strut in spring compressor.
3. Pre-compress coil spring with spring compressor tool No. VAG 1752/1, or equivalent, far enough so upper spring seat is free.
- Make sure coil spring is correctly seated in adapter tool No. VAG 1752/3, or equivalent (arrow).
4. Using wrench tool No. 3017 A, or equivalent, 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 or equivalent.
- 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: °30 Nm (22 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 tool No. VAG 1752, or equivalent.