Rear

Rear suspension strut, repairing







NOTE:
^ Install suspension strut in strut holders tool No. VAG 1752/2, or equivalent, to disassemble and assemble.
^ For this procedure, use the tools shown in the following illustrations or their equivalents.

1 Self-locking nut
- Always replace
- Tighten to: 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.)

2 Rubber mount
- Apply talcum powder before installing

3 Upper spring retainer

4 Damper ring
- Apply talcum powder before installing
- Pay attention to different versions; appropriate damper ring is identified either with or without a stud on underside

5 Bump stop
- Fit into protective sleeve and press together into damper ring

6 Protective sleeve
- Fit together with bump stop and damper ring onto piston rod and coil spring so that the damper ring stop is resting against the coil spring end

7 Coil spring
- Refer to data plate for determining spring version
- Inscription on data plate:
- 1BA = Standard version
- 1BE = Sports version
- End of coil spring must conceal all three holes in upper spring retainer
- Color marked on spring points toward lower spring retainer

8 Protective cap
- Push onto shock absorber

9 Lower spring retainer
- With stop for coil spring

10 Shock absorber
- Can be replaced individually
- Use proper disposal procedures for used shock absorbers before scrapping
- Before replacing, pay attention to vehicle data plate to determine the shock absorber version
- Meaning of inscription on data plate:
- 1BA = Standard version
- 1BE = Sports version

NOTE: Vehicles with sports suspension are equipped with gas shock absorbers.

Checking Conventional Shock Absorbers (Removed)
- 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.

Checking Gas-filled Shock Absorbers (Removed)
- 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.


DISASSEMBLY





1. Clamp strut holder in vise.
2. Install suspension strut in strut holder.
3. Insert threaded bolt into holes of upper spring retainer, screw to spring retainer and lock in position with clamping lever.





4. Pay attention to exact position of pointer on scale.
- Refer to position of pointer when installing.





5. Compress coil spring with spring tensioner tool No. VAG 1752/1, or equivalent.

NOTE: Make sure coil spring is correctly seated in spring holder tool No. VAG 1752/3, or equivalent).

6. Remove top self-locking nut using wrench tool No. 3017A, or equivalent.
7. Remove rubber bushing.





8. Loosen clamping lever (bottom arrow).
9. Push up height adjuster and swivel to side (arrow).
10. Remove individual parts and compressed coil spring together with spring tensioner.

ASSEMBLY
1. Extend shock absorber shaft. fully.
2. Install lower spring retainer onto shock absorber, making sure it is correctly installed.




3. Stop on spring retainer (arrow) should be turned 90� relative to axis of shock absorber boss.
4. Install coil spring with spring tensioner onto shock absorber.

NOTE: Make sure that the color coding for the coil spring is facing the lower spring retainer.

5. Assemble all parts except upper spring retainer and rubber 6. bushing.
7. Set height adjuster with spring retainer to 45° with aid of scale.
8. Position above strut, lower and clamp tight.
9. Install rubber bushing.
10. Install self-locking nut hand-tight.

NOTE: Installation position: Make sure the ends of the springs are correctly seated relative to the stops. If necessary, the stops should be pushed up to the spring ends so there is no play.





11. Arrow faces spring end stop on lower spring retainer.





12. Tighten self-locking nut to: 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).
13. Release compressed spring; remove spring tensioner.
14. Remove strut from strut mount.