Suspension Strut, Removing and Installing

Suspension strut, removing and installing
Removing
^ Remove cover plenum chamber / battery
^ Remove hubcap, for light-alloy wheels pull off center cap (use pulling hook in vehicle tools).
^ Remove wheels.





^ Remove rubber grommets in plenum (arrows).

Note:
^ For vehicles with headlight vertical aim control, refer to Vehicle Level Sensor.
^ In order not to damage joints of lower control arms, it is necessary to use engine/transmission jack VAG 1383-A, for example, to brace against too strong rebound.





^ Unscrew suspension strut from body.
1. Nuts
^ Pull cable of ABS wheel speed sensor out of bracket on brake caliper.
Be careful not to damage surface of brake lines!





^ Unscrew nut -1-.
Slits in wheel bearing housing may not be widened with a chisel or similar tool!
^ Remove hex bolt and lift out link -2-.
^ Swing away wheel bearing housing toward side, in direction of (arrow).
Bolts -3- and -4- may not be loosened!
Otherwise wheel adjustment must be checked!
To unscrew hex bolt from suspension strut/track control link, you must detach guide link from wheel bearing housing.
Use 4 mm socket wrench to hold joint bolt if necessary.
^ On vehicles with an aluminum wheel bearing housing be careful removing and installing guide link





^ Unscrew guide link nut from joint bolt then press off joint bolt
Be careful not to damage CV boot in the process!





^ Unscrew bolt -1-, of suspension strut/track control link.
^ Pull suspension strut down and out.

Note:
^ Be careful not to damage CV boot when removing suspension strut

Installing





^ Put in suspension strut so that hole (arrow) in spring seat faces middle of vehicle.
^ Bolt suspension strut together with track control link.

Note: Remove any adhesive remaining on thread of joint bolt.

^ Bonded rubber bushings can only be turned to a limited extent The suspension strut1track control link bolt connection should only be tightened when vehicle is standing on ground.
^ Tighten new nuts to 90 Nm.
^ Insert upper links in wheel bearing housing and tighten new nuts -2- to 40 Nm.
^ Press upper links down as far as possible when tightening!
^ Tighten nut on joint bolt to 100 Nm.
Use 4 mm socket wrench to hold joint bolt if necessary.
^ Insert cable of ABS wheel speed sensor into bracket on brake caliper.
^ Screw on new bolts for suspension strut and tighten to 20 Nm.
Be careful not to damage surface of brake lines!
^ Put rubber grommets in plenum.
^ Mount wheel and tighten to 120 Nm.