Strut

Strut

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1332)

• Spreader (3424)

• Engine/Transmission Jack (V.A.G 1383 A)

• Wheel Hub Support (T10149)

Removing

- Loosen drive axle bolt to wheel hub:

• Hex head bolt, refer to => [ Drive Axle Hex Bolt Connection, Loosening and Tightening ] Removal and Replacement

• Twelve point bolt, refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt, Loosening and Tightening ] Procedures

• Vehicle must not be standing on its wheels when doing this, otherwise wheel bearing will be damaged.

- Remove wheel.

- Remove the nut - arrow - of the connecting link from suspension strut.

- Disengage wire for wheel speed sensor from suspension strut.

- Remove nuts - arrows -.

- Pull wheel bearing housing with ball joint out of control arm.

- Pull outer joint of drive axle out of wheel hub.

- Secure drive axle to body using wire.

CAUTION!
The drive axle must not hang down, otherwise the inner joint will be damaged by over flexing.

- Bolt ball joint to control arm again.

- Fasten (V.A.G 1383 A) using (T10149) to wheel hub with a wheel bolt.

- Insert (3424) into wheel bearing housing slot.

- Using a ratchet and the (3424), open the wheel bearing housing slot.

- Press brake disc in direction of suspension strut by hand.

Otherwise strut tube may be canted in hole of wheel bearing housing.

- Pull off wheel bearing housing downward from strut tube and lower using (V.A.G 1383 A) as far until strut tube hangs freely.

- Tightly tie wheel bearing housing to bracket/subframe using binding wire.

- Remove (V.A.G 1383 A) from below wheel bearing housing.

CAUTION!
• Do not leave (V.A.G 1383 A) below vehicle any longer than necessary.

- Remove wiper arms.

- Remove plenum chamber cover.

- Remove the hex bolts - arrows - for upper strut mount and remove suspension strut.

Installing

Installation Position of Spring Retainer

- Insert suspension strut, one of the two markings - arrows - must point in direction of travel when doing this.

Tighten hex bolts - arrows - for upper strut mount.

- Install plenum chamber cover.

- Install wiper arms.

- Secure (V.A.G 1383 A) with (T10149) to wheel hub using a wheel bolt.

CAUTION!
• Do not lift or lower vehicle when the (V.A.G 1383 A) stands below the vehicle. Vehicle could slip off lift.

• Do not leave (V.A.G 1383 A) below vehicle any longer than necessary.

- Position suspension strut on wheel bearing housing.

- Remove wire on wheel bearing housing.

- Carefully lift the wheel bearing housing with the engine and transmission jack enough so that the suspension strut/wheel bearing housing bolt can be inserted.

- To do so, press the brake disc by hand in direction of suspension strut while lifting.

Otherwise strut tube may be canted in hole of wheel bearing housing.

- Remove (3424).

- Tighten threaded connection of wheel bearing housing/suspension strut - arrow -.

CAUTION!
• Do not leave (V.A.G 1383 A) below vehicle any longer than necessary.

- Remove nuts - arrows -.

- Insert drive axle into wheel hub.

- Insert wheel bearing housing with ball joint into control arm.

- Bolt ball joint to control arm.

• Make sure that the ball joint boot is not damaged or twisted.

- Tighten drive axle bolt to wheel hub:

• Hex head bolt, refer to => [ Drive Axle Hex Bolt Connection, Loosening and Tightening ] Removal and Replacement

• Twelve point bolt, refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt, Loosening and Tightening ] Procedures

• Vehicle must not be standing on its wheels when doing this, otherwise wheel bearing will be damaged.

Further installation is in the reverse sequence to removal.

- Install wheel and tighten, refer to => [ Wheel Bolt Tightening Specification ] Specifications.

Tightening Specifications