31 31 041 Replacing Front Left or Right Spring Strut
31 31 041 Replacing front left or right spring strut (AWD)
Special tools required:
^ 31 2 210
^ 31 3 340
^ 31 3 341
^ 31 3 354
^ 31 3 355
^ 31 3 358
Warning!
Prior to each use of special tool 31 3 340, it is essential to read the associated Owner's Handbook fully!
All the safety precautions and instructions contained in the Owner's Handbook must be strictly observed!
Failure to observe these safety precautions and instructions increases the risk of serious physical injury, damage to your health and damage to property and equipment!
Important!
1. Prior to each use, check the special tools for defects, modifications and operational reliability.
2. Damaged/modified special tools must not be used!
3. No changes or modifications may be made to the special tools!
4. These special tools are intended solely for the purpose of tightening and relieving cylindrical and tapered suspension springs.
5. Keep special tools dry, clean and (down to the spindle) free from grease.
6. Impact screwdrivers are prohibited!
7. Do not compress coil spring to full extent.
Necessary preliminary tasks:
^ Remove front spring strut
Removing:
Clamp special tool 31 3 341 in vice.
Install insert 31 3 358 in special tool 31 3 354.
Position special tools 31 3 355 and 31 3 354 with insert 31 3 358 from above on special tool 31 3 341 until locking pins (1) can be felt and heard snapping into place.
Check seating of special tools 31 3 355 and 31 3 354 with insert 31 3 358, correct if necessary.
Clean coil spring to remove coarse contamination and take up with special tools 31 3 355 and 31 3 354 with insert 31 3 358.
Twist spring strut until end of coil spring (1) is flush with end of special tool 31 3 355.
Warning!
Special tool 31 3 354 and centering ring 31 3 358 must rest correctly on the upper spring plate!
Lower coil of coil spring must rest completely in recess of special tool 31 3 355!
Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.
Take off cap.
Release nut with special tool 31 2 210 (grip piston rod in the process).
Remove support bearing (1), dust sleeve and supporting ring (2).
Remove shock absorber with auxiliary damper, gaiter and lower spring pad sideways from tensioned coil spring.
If necessary, remove auxiliary damper (1), gaiter (2) and spring pad (3) from shock absorber.
Relieve tension on coil spring.
Remove coil spring with spring plate from special tools 31 3 355, 31 3 358 and 31 3 354.
Assembly:
Check spring pad (1) for damage, replace if necessary.
Attach spring plate (2) with spring pad (1) to coil spring.
Note:
End of coil spring must be positively aligned to spring pad (1).
Hold coil spring and spring plate with special tools 31 3 355, 31 3 358 and 31 3 354.
Twist coil spring until lower end of coil spring (1) is flush with end (2) of special tool 31 3 355.
Warning!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent.
Special tool 31 3 354 and centering ring 31 3 358 must rest correctly on the upper spring plate!
Lower coil of coil spring must rest completely in recess of special tool 31 3 355!
Tension coil spring.
Check auxiliary damper (1), gaiter (2) and spring pad (3) for damage, replace if necessary.
Note:
Make sure spring pad (3) is correctly seated on shock absorber.
Insert shock absorber in tensioned coil spring.
Attach thrust washer (2) to piston rod.
Check support bearing (1) for damage, replace if necessary.
Attach dust sleeve and support bearing to piston rod.
Replace nut and tighten down with special tool 31 2 210 (grip piston rod in the process).
Tightening torque 31 31 2AZ.
Fit cover cap.
Important!
Spring pad (1) must rest positively on spring plate (2)!
Upper end of coil spring must rest on stop of spring pad (1)!
Important!
Lower end of coil spring (2) must rest on stop of spring pad (1)!
Relieve tension on coil spring.
Check installation position of gaiter, correct fold if necessary.
After installation:
^ Carry out wheel alignment check if a spring strut with support bearing was or has been installed without centering pin.
