Replacing Front Left or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber (Vehicles Up to 03/2002)

Replacing Front Left or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber (Vehicles Up to 03/2002)

Special Tools Required:
- 31 3 340
- 31 3 341
- 31 3 355


Important!
When replacing shock absorber/spring strut, renew auxiliary damper!

Warning!
Before using the special tool 31 3 340 take care to read through the Owner's Handbook!
All the safety information and instructions contained in the Owner's Hand book 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 suspensions 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 Work:
- Completely remove front spring strut.

NOTE:
When a spring strut shock absorber is replaced, a spring strut shock absorber with the same identification marking must be installed.





Clamp special tool 31 3 341 to guide (1) in vice.

Slide special tools 31 3 355 with protective inserts into each housing via the taper of special tool 31 3 341.

Lock pins (2) must be heard and felt in lock in position.

Warning!
Keep protective pads free of oil and grease.




Spring cup must be inserted from the chamfered side of special tool 31 3 341.

The lock pins must be heard and felt to lock in position.

Check fit of spring seats.






There must be three spring coils (1) between the spring retainers.
The end of the spring must be located under the end of spring retainer (2) as illustrated. Spring coil (3) must lie completely in recess (4) when the spring is tensioned in the spring retainer.

Tension coil spring to point where support bearing is unloaded.

Warning!
The spring coil must lie completely in the recess when the spring is tensioned in the spring retainer.
The special tool 31 3 341 must not be tightened or release with an impact screwdriver.
The coils must not be tensioned to the full extent.
Only tension coil springs to the point where support bearing is unloaded.
The nut may only be release when the spring coil is resting completely in the recess of the spring retainer! Repeat tensioning if process is necessary.





Release nut (1) while locking piston rod with ring spanner (2) -remove spring strut shock absorber.

Installation note:
- Replace self-locking nut.



- Tightening Torque, 31 31 2AZ.





Installation note:
- Before fitting support bearing, make sure the shim (1) and washer (2) are fitted as shown.

NOTE:
Follow Notes 1 and 2 if a new coil spring is installed.

NOTE 1
Release special tool 31 3 341 and remove coil spring.
The special tool must not be tightened or release with an impact wrench.





NOTE 2
There must be three spring coils (1) between the spring retainers.
The end of the spring must be located under the end of spring retainer (2) as illustrated. Spring coil (3) must lie completely in recess (4) when the spring is tensioned in the spring retainer.





Check spring pad and replace if necessary.

Make sure pad (1) fits over tonque (2) on the lower spring seat.





Check protective sleeve and replace if necessary.

During installation make sure that the tabes (1) fit correctly over the trim.





Insert spring strut into coil spring. Mount protective sleeve, auxiliary damper and upper spring cup.

Screw self-locking nut back onto piston rod.

Release coil spring until it is fully resting on lower spring cup.

The end (1) of the coil spring must be aligned correctly at the rubber seal (2) of the spring seat.

Firmly tighten self-locking nut. Use spanner to lock piston rod in position if necessary.

Installation Note:
- Replace self-locking nut.



- Tightening Torque, 31 31 2AZ.

Release coil spring completely.