Service Notes

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, Refer to Fig. 6 and Fig. 9
- Note varying coil spring versions, see vehicle data plate
6. Stop buffer
- Insert in upper spring seat
7. Protective sleeve
8. center cap
9. Bottom spring washer
- Fixed with recess in ribbing on spring seat
- not installed on all vehicles
10. Lower spring seat
- Installation position, Refer to Fig. 5
- Note different versions
11. Shock absorber
- Replacing, Refer to Fig. 4
- Note varying shock absorber versions, see vehicle data plate-23

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 plate






- (A) shows Part No. for front axle
- (B) shows Part No. for rear axle
- Arrow indicates the suspension
- Vehicle data plate is located in spare tire well and in service book.
- Use Part No. to locate appropriate spring/shock absorber combination in replacement parts Supplier.

Special Tools and Equipment






- VAG1752/1 clamping device for suspension strut
- VAG1752/2
- VAG1752/7
- VAG1752/8






- 3353 socket wrench insert






Fig. 1 Removing coil spring
- Clamp strut tower (VAG1752/2) 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 spring seat is free.
- Make sure coil spring is correctly seated in adapter (VAG1752/7, arrow).






Fig. 3 Removing coil spring

- Unscrew hex nut from push rod while counter holding 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 the bottom spring seat is installed correctly!
- Hole (arrow) in spring seat -1- should be off set by 90 to the axis of bolt -A- for shock absorber -2-.
- Allowable deviation of spring seat to the axis of the 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 (VAG1752/1).
- 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 1 752/8.
- 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!






Fig. 8 Installation position of top spring seat

- Threaded bolts in top spring seat are rotated 11 to the 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.