Mounting Bracket, Removing and Installing
Mounting Bracket, Removing And Installing
WARNING:
^ Do not re-use any fasteners that are worn or deformed in normal use.
^ Some fasteners are designed to be used only once, and are unreliable and may fail if used a second time. This includes, but is not limited to, nuts, bolts, washers, circlips and cotter pins. Always follow the recommendations-replace these fasteners with new parts where indicated, and any other time it is deemed necessary by inspection.
Removing
- Remove wheel trim.
On light-alloy wheels use puller in vehicle tool kit to remove trim cap.
- Remove wheel.
- Remove clip -1- using pair of pliers.
Clip -1- does not need to be re-installed.
- Remove nut -2-, remove bolt and remove both links upward.
Do not widen the slits in the wheel bearing housing (e.g. by using a chisel or similar tool).
The steering gear boot should be protected from becoming damaged by installing a protective sleeve.
Notes:
^ The illustration shows steering gear removed for clarity.
^ Protective sleeve - 1- can be ordered (Part No. 893 512 137).
CAUTION: Part numbers are listed here for reference only.
- Cut a strip 20 - 25 mm (approx. 7/8 inch) wide (dimension -A-) from protective sleeve -1-.
- Carefully de-burr cut surfaces.
- Slide protective sleeve over steering gear boot.
^ Open side of sleeve must point downward
To remove the bolt mounting the suspension strut to the lower track control link, the lower guide link must first be disconnected from the wheel bearing housing.
- Remove nut from guide link ball joint pin and press off joint pin.
^ If necessary, counter-hold ball joint pin using 4 mm hex wrench.
^ Be careful to not damage joint boot.
- Disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor wiring from retainer on brake caliper.
CAUTION: Install a support device (e.g. VAG1383A transmission jack) to prevent damage to the lower link joints resulting from excessive rebound travel in the suspension.
- Remove bolt -1- attaching suspension strut to lower track control link.
- Swing wheel bearing housing to side.
- Remove bolts -1- in plenum chamber.
- Remove suspension strut together with mounting bracket.
Be careful to not damage joint boot.
Removing upper links from mounting bracket
- Clamp suspension strut in vise (use protective jaw covers).
- Remove both upper links (arrows).
- Remove nuts -1- and remove mounting bracket.
Installing
F - Forward
R - Right-side mounting bracket
L - Left-side mounting bracket
^ Holes in suspension strut -1- spring plate (arrows) must face center of vehicle
- Tighten flanged nuts -2- to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).
Installing upper links to mounting bracket
- Align upper links.
Distance -A-: 57 mm ± 2 mm (2.24 inch ± 0.08 inch).
- Always replace bolts and nuts.
- Tighten bolts -1- for both links.
Tightening torque: 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.) + 1/4-turn (90°).
- Install suspension strut together with mounting bracket into strut tower and tighten bolts -1- to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).
Note: Make sure that the washers are correctly seated.
CAUTION: The bonded rubber bushings can only be turned to a limited extent The bolted connections on the suspension links should therefore only be tightened when the vehicle is standing on the ground.
- Attach lower end of suspension strut to lower track control link with bolt and new nut and tighten nut -1- to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.).
- Tighten nut on ball joint pin to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.).
- Install both upper links and tighten nut -2-.
^ Tightening torque: 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.)
^ When tightening, press upper links downward as far as possible
- Attach ABS wiring to retainer on brake caliper.
- Install wheel.
- Check front suspension alignment and, if necessary, adjust using VW/Audi-approved wheel alignment equipment.