Suspension Strut, Servicing

Suspension strut, servicing





1. Hex-nut, tighten to 60 Nm
^ Always replace
2. Suspension strut mount
3. Washer
4. Upper spring seat
^ Installation position refer to Fig. 8
^ Installing refer to Fig. 7
5. Coil spring
^ Surface of spring coil may not be damaged
^ Note color code
^ Removing refer to Fig. 1 Fig. 2, and = fig. 3
^ Installing =:> Fig. 6 and refer to Fig. 9
^ Note varying coil spring versions, see vehicle data sticker
^ Application
^ See Parts Supplier
6. Stop buffer
^ Insert in upper spring seat
^ Application
^ See Parts Supplier
7. Protective sleeve
8. Protective cap
9. Bottom spring washer
^ Fixed with recess in ribbing on spring seat
^ Not installed on all vehicles
^ See Parts Supplier
10. Lower spring seat
^ Installation position refer to Fig. 5
^ Note different versions
^ See Parts Supplier
11. Shock absorber
^ Replacing refer to Fig. 4
^ Note varying shock absorber versions, see vehicle data sticker
^ Application
^ See Parts Supplier

Explanation of weight codes (Part numbers)
The spring/shock absorber combination installed in vehicle is documented through the corresponding Part No. on the vehicle data plate.





Example of a vehicle data sticker
^ -A- shows Part No. for front axle
^ -B- shows Part No. for rear axle
^ (Arrow) indicates the suspension
Vehicle data sticker is located in spare tire well.
Use Part No. to locate appropriate spring/shock absorber combination in Parts Supplier.

Special tools and equipment





^ VAG 1752/1 clamping device for suspension strut
^ VAG1752/2
^ VAG1752/7
^ VAG1752/8





^ 3353 socket wrench insert

Fig. 1 Removing coil spring:

^ Clamp strut tower (VAG1 752/2) in vise.

Fig. 2 Removing coil spring:

^ Clamp suspension strut to fork head in strut tower.
^ Pretension coil spring with clamping device (VAG1752/1) until top of spring seat is free.
^ Make sure coil spring is correctly seated in adapter (VAG175217, (arrow).

Fig. 3 Removing coil spring:

^ Unscrew hex nut from push rod while counterholding with socket wrench.
^ Take off individual parts of suspension strut and coil spring with clamping device (VAG1752/1).

Fig. 4 Replacing shock absorbers:

If shock absorber is being replaced, additional work is necessary.
^ Take off center cap -1- and bottom spring washer -2-.
^ Loosen spring seat -3- with plastic hammer and remove.

Installing

Fig. 5 Installed position of lower spring seat:

Before inserting coil spring make sure bottom spring seat is installed correctly!
Hole (arrow) in spring seat - 1 - should be offset by 90° to axis of bolt -A- for shock absorber -2-.
Allowable deviation of spring seat to axis of shock absorber bolt ± 2

Fig. 6 Installing coil spring:

^ Fix bottom spring washer on spring seat with a recess, and put on center cap and stop buffer.
^ Put coil spring on bottom spring washer with clamping device (VAG 1752/1).
End of spring coil must rest against stop -arrow-.

Fig. 7 Installing top spring seat:

^ Adjust angle scale (arrow) of clamping device (1752/2) to 0".
^ Install top spring seat, washer, and shock absorber mount
^ Bring upper spring seat into 11° position using adjusting gauge 1752/8.
On the adjusting gauge (1752/8) the 11° setting has
"left front" or "right front" markings!

Make sure that the left and right side 11° positions of the spring seat are symmetrical!
Installation position of top spring seat

Fig. 8 Installation position of top spring seat:

^ Threaded bolts in top spring seat are rotated 11° to axis of bolt -1- of fork head on shock absorber.
F = direction of travel
R = right side spring seat
L = left side spring seat
A= 11° ± 2°
^ Holes -B- of bottom spring seat face middle of vehicle.

Fig. 9 Installing coil spring:

^ End of spring coil must rest against stop of top spring washer (arrow).
^ Tighten hex nut with special tool (3353); 60 Nm.
^ Loosen coil spring.
^ Take off adjusting gauge (1752/8).
^ If coil spring is correctly installed, top and bottom spring seats should be parallel to one another.