Suspension Strut

Suspension Strut

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Digital Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1756)

• Torque wrench 40-200 Nm (V.A.G 1332)

• Ball Joint Puller (3287 A)

• Spreader (3424)

Removing

- Loosen the drive axle threaded connection on the wheel side.

=> [ Hex Bolt between Drive Axle and Wheel Hub, Loosening and Tightening ] Hex Bolt Between Drive Axle and Wheel Hub, Loosening and Tightening

=> [ Twelve-Point Bolt with Ribs, Loosening and Tightening, Drive Axle to Wheel Hub ] Twelve-Point Bolt With Ribs, Loosening and Tightening, Drive Axle to Wheel Hub

- Remove the wheel.

- Remove the brake caliper and tie it to the body wire.

- Remove brake line and electric wire bracket from wheel bearing housing.

- Remove the ABS speed sensor.

- Remove coupling rod upper hex nut - arrow - from suspension strut.






- Loosen nut of track rod ball joint, but do not unscrew yet.






- Press off track rod ball joint from wheel bearing housing using (3287A) and now unscrew nut.

- On vehicles with a level control system sensor, remove the nut from the linkage on the transverse link.






- On vehicles with electronically-controlled damping (Audi magnetic ride), disconnect connector - 2 -.






• Remove the connector - 2 - with both hands. Use one hand to open the retainer and use the other hand to press it off. Do not use tools.

- Mark location of nuts - arrows - with felt-tip pen.

- Remove the nuts - arrows -.

- Guide transverse link out of ball joint and remove wheel bearing housing from drive axle splines.

• The drive axle must not hang down, otherwise the inner joint will be damaged by overflexing.

• Secure drive axle to body using wire.

- Remove the plenum chamber cover.

- Remove upper shock absorber mount hex bolts - arrows -.






- Remove suspension strut.

- Disconnect suspension strut to wheel bearing housing connection.

- Insert (3424) into slot of wheel bearing housing.






- Turn the ratchet 90° and remove it from the (3424).

- Remove suspension strut - 1 - from wheel bearing housing - 2 -.

Installing

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

Tightening specifications, refer to => [ Wheel Bearing Housing and Wheel Bearing Unit Overview ] Service and Repair

Tightening specifications, refer to => [ Subframe, Stabilizer Bar, Transverse Link, Ball Joint and Vehicle Level Sensor Overview ] Subframe, Stabilizer Bar, Transverse Link, Ball Joint and Vehicle Level Sensor Overview

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






- Replace locking element after each removal - item 11 - => [ (Item 11) Locking Element ] Subframe, Stabilizer Bar, Transverse Link, Ball Joint and Vehicle Level Sensor Overview.

- Align nuts - arrows - according to markings made earlier and tighten.






- Tighten drive axle to wheel hub threaded connection.

=> [ Hex Bolt between Drive Axle and Wheel Hub, Loosening and Tightening ] Hex Bolt Between Drive Axle and Wheel Hub, Loosening and Tightening

=> [ Twelve-Point Bolt with Ribs, Loosening and Tightening, Drive Axle to Wheel Hub ] Twelve-Point Bolt With Ribs, Loosening and Tightening, Drive Axle to Wheel Hub

- Install plenum chamber cover.

- On vehicles with electronically-controlled damping (Audi magnetic ride), reprogram the control position vehicle diagnostic tester.

- On vehicles with automatic headlamp range control system, perform a basic setting on the headlamps.

- Axle alignment is required, see Table, refer to => [ An Axle Alignment is Necessary When: ] An Axle Alignment is Necessary When:.