Rear Suspension

Removal
1. Remove rear wheel, engine guard from engine/transmission and rear underside panel.
2. Disconnect stabilizer mount from stabilizer (holding open jaw wrench against bolt). The stabilizer mount must remain attached to the spring strut. Remove stabilizer clamp.





3. Loosen control arm 2 (toe control arm) do not remove it completely at this state.

Procedure and sequence:
- Mark the position of eccentric bolt A (eccentric toe bolt) for installation.
- Then swing the eccentric bolt and control arm 2 out of the cross member from below.
- Loosen control arm 2 from wheel carrier (do not remove control arm yet. When loosening the fastening nut hold Torx screwdriver (special tool 9546) against the ball joint bolt.

4. To prevent damage to the drive shaft, place a protective tube on the drive shaft (the drive shaft may rest on the subframe (rear axle side part) after removal of the spring strut).
5. To remove the left spring strut, first remove the heater blower. To remove the right spring strut, first remove the air filter.





6. Release M 8 fastening nuts (4 in all) from spring strut mount.
7. Now remove control arm 2 completely and pull spring strut out of spring strut dome.

Installation
1. Do not grease bolts or screws.
- Observe torque specifications.
2. Mount spring strut on body.
- Use new fastening nut.
- Precise compliance with the specified tightening torque of 33 Nm (24.5 ft lb) is essential.
3. Install heating blower or air filter.
4. Mount spring strut on wheel carrier (insert control arm 2).
5. Install control arm 2 on cross member.

NOTE:
- Before installing control arm 2 on cross member, check thread condition and grade of eccentric bolt.
- Required grade 10.9 (grade first used 8.8 / check spare parts catalog).
- The grade is shown on the bolt head.
- If thread is damaged or bolt is grade 8.8, use new eccentric bolt.
- In this case, transfer position mark from old eccentric bolt to new bolt.

CAUTION: Before tightening the eccentric bolt (area A), read the following instructions.

6. Tighten eccentric bolt (area A) in reference position.

- Reference position = Control arm 2 and the rear cross member must form a horizontal line.

- To establish reference position, lift wheel carrier with universal jack.

NOTE: The eccentric bolt can also be tightened when the vehicle is on its wheels and has been pushed up and down about 25 mm a few times.

7. Following the installation of new parts which affect vehicle height, a suspension alignment check must be made.
8. Install underside guards and panels.