Rear Suspension

Rear axle components, layout
General notes:
Load-bearing components or components that locate the wheels must not be welded or straightened.
Do not attempt to move a vehicle without a drive axle installed as this will result in wheel bearing damage. If the vehicle does have to be moved, always note the following points:
^ Install an outer joint in place of the drive axle.
^ Tighten bolts to 200 Nm.
Bonded rubber bushings can only be turned to a limited extent. Therefore only tighten the bolted connections on components with bonded rubber bushings with the wheel bearing housing raised (control position).
Always replace bonded rubber bushings on both sides of vehicle.
Note when installing the self-leveling sensor.
^ Only replace complete.
^ The sensor lever must face inward.
^ Perform the control position adaptation procedure after loosening.
Programming and Relearning

Component groups





Part 1 Subframe, rear final drive
Part 2 Air spring damper, transverse link, tie rod, wheel bearing housing, drive axle
Part 3 Stabilizer bar, self-leveling sensor, trapezoidal link

Part 1

Subframe, rear final drive





1. Subframe

Note: Do not raise the vehicle at the subframe.

2. Screening
^ The arrow on the screening points in the direction of travel.
3. Blind rivet
4. Drive axle
^ Different versions
^ See Parts catalog
5. Bolt, 70 Nm
^ First tighten all bolts to preliminary tightening torque of 15 Nm, then to specified tightening torque.
6. Shim
7. Bolt
^ Tightening torque: Combi bolt, 25 Nm
8. Screening
9. Rear final drive
10. Washer
11. Self-locking nut
^ Always replace
12. Bolt
^ 150 Nm plus an additional 1/4 turn 90°
^ Always replace
^ The threaded plate in the body can be replaced.
13. Conical spring washer
^ Always replace
^ Locking edges face bolt head
14. Washer
15. Washer
16. Bolt
17. Washer
18. Self-locking nut, 40 Nm
^ Always replace
19. Bolt, 40 Nm

Part 2

Air spring damper, transverse link, tie rod, wheel bearing housing, drive axle





1. Wiring duct
2. Bolt
^ 80 Nm plus an additional 1/4 turn 90°
^ Always replace
3. Self-locking nut
^ Always replace
4. Transverse link
5. Bolt, 4 Nm
6. Eccentric bolt
^ Adjust toe after loosening
^ Do not turn more than 90° to left or right (min. - max. adjustment)
7. Eccentric washer
^ Inner hole with lug
8. Self-locking nut, 95 Nm
^ Always replace
^ Raise wheel bearing housing before tightening => (unless performing wheel alignment)
9. Tie rod
^ If the tie rod has been detached from the connecting link -Item 22 -, it must be replaced
10. Air spring damper
^ The boot must have no indentations, eliminate indentations => Fig 1
^ Note Different suspension versions => vehicle data sticker
11. Bolt, 30 Nm
^ 3 off
12. Air line
^ Replace the complete line, do not shorten
^ Color: left rear - black; right rear - blue
13. Connection piece, 3 Nm
^ Always adhere to tightening torque!
^ Unscrew only when vehicle is raised and air spring shock absorber is not under load (otherwise, danger of injury when lowering vehicle)
^ Replace air line if leaking
^ Clean the line connection before loosening
^ Air will escape when unscrewing
^ Protect connection from contamination
14. Residual pressure retention valve
^ Must never be loosened
15. Self-locking nut, 9 Nm
^ Always replace
16. Bolt, 9 Nm
17. Bolt
^ 80 Nm plus an additional 1/4 turn 90°
^ Always replace
^ Set vehicle on wheels before tightening (normal level)
18. Cover plate
19. Bolt, 10 Nm
20. Collar bolt
^ Always replace
Note the sequence of operations for loosening and for tightening.

21. Bracket
^ For brake caliper wiring harness
^ Screw to wheel bearing housing -Item 33- together with splash plate -Item 18 -.
22. Connecting link
^ Connects tie rod to wheel bearing housing and trapezoidal link
23. Washer
24. Self-locking nut
^ 75 Nm plus an additional 1/8 turn 45°
^ Always replace
25. Trapezoidal link
26. Stub axle
27. Drive axle
^ Application
^ See Parts catalog
28. Speed sensor
^ With O-ring
29. Bolt, 8 Nm
30. Bracket
^ For speed sensor wiring harness
31. Self-locking nut, 95 Nm
^ Always replace
^ Raise wheel bearing housing before tightening => (unless performing wheel alignment)
32. Eccentric washer
^ Inner hole with lug
33. Wheel bearing housing
34. Eccentric bolt
^ Adjust camber after loosening
^ Do not turn more than 90° to left or right (min. - max. adjustment)

Fig. 1 Eliminating indentations on the boot

Special tools and equipment
^ Commercially available compressed air gun
^ Cloths





^ Place cloths -1- round the lower connection and blow in compressed air through an air vent slit -arrow A- using a compressed air gun (thin nozzle) -2-.

Note: Only increase the pressure until the boot inflates slightly. This will cause indentations -arrows B- to be smoothed out.

^ If the indentations do not disappear, press them out by hand. Push the boot upward out of the lower attachment, if necessary.

Part 3





1. Stabilizer bar
^ With vulcanized mountings
^ Note Different suspension versions => cle data sticker
2. Bolt
^ 65 Nm plus an additional 1/4 turn 90°
^ Always replace
3. Connecting link
^ Connects stabilizer bar to wheel bearing housing
4. Bolt
^ Always replace
5. Bolt
^ 80 Nm plus an additional 1/4 turn 90°
^ Always replace
^ Raise wheel bearing housing before tightening
6. Self-locking nut
^ Always replace
7. Bolt
^ 80 Nm plus an additional 1/4 turn 90°
^ Always replace
^ Raise wheel bearing housing before tightening
8. Trapezoidal link
9. Bracket
^ For brake line
10. Self-locking nut
^ 50 Nm plus an additional 1/4 turn 90°
^ Always replace
^ Raise wheel bearing housing before tightening
11. Self-locking nut
^ Always replace
12. Bolt
^ 80 Nm plus an additional 1/4 turn 90°
^ Always replace
^ Raise wheel bearing housing before tightening
13. Bolt
^ Always replace
14. Self-locking nut
^ 80 Nm plus an additional 1/4 turn 90°
^ Always replace
^ Raise wheel bearing housing before tightening
15. Bolt, 10 Nm
16. Bracket
^ For brake line
17. Self-locking bolt, 10 Nm
^ Always replace
18. Self-locking nut, 10 Nm
^ Always replace
19. Left rear level control system sensor -G76- and Right rear level control system sensor -G77-
^ Only replace complete
^ The sensor lever must face inward
^ To remove and install, disconnect harness connector, unscrew Item 18 and Item 15
^ Perform the control position adaptation procedure after loosening
Programming and Relearning

20. Bolt, 25 Nm
^ Tighten evenly on both sides
21. Clip