Coil Spring Strut Disassembly and Assembly

Replacing front left or right spring strut shock absorber

Remove complete front left or right spring strut.





Clamp special tool 31 3 341 on its guide (1) in vise.
Insert spring retainer 31 3 352.

Prior to each use, check that special tools (31 3 341 and 31 3 352) are in proper working order.
Do not use special tools which are damaged.
Do not make any modifications whatsoever to special tools.
Keep special tools clean and free of grease!
Use suitable spring retainers only.
The special tools are designed solely for tensioning and releasing springs!
Never tension or release special tool 31 3 341 with an impact screwdriver.





Each spring retainer 31 3 352 must be pushed in from chamfer side (1) of special tool 31 3 341.

Warning!
Locking pins must be felt and heard snapping into place.
Check seating of spring retainers 31 3 352 again.





When tensioned, the spring coils must rest completely in the spring holder recess.
The coils may not be tensioned on a block.

Warning!
Special tool 31 3 341 must not be tensioned or released with an impact screwdriver!





Only tighten down the coil springs until stress on the thrust bearing is relieved.
Only release nut of thrust bearing when spring is correctly tensioned and spring coils are fully seated in recess of spring retainers. Repeat tensioning process if necessary.
Brace with wrench (open ring/hexagon socket) and release nut with special tool 31 2 210.
Remove spring strut.





If a new coil spring is installed, relieve tension on special tool 31 3 341 and remove coil spring.
The special tool must not be tightened or untightened with an impact screwdriver.
Insert new coil spring in spring retainers. There must be four spring coils between the spring retainers.
When tensioned, the spring coils must rest completely in the spring holder recess.

Warning!
The special tool must not be tightened or untightened with an impact screwdriver.
The spring coils must not be tensioned to their maximum extent.





Replace auxiliary spring (1) if necessary.
Check spring plate (2) and spring pad (3). Check gaiter.
Make sure spring pad is correctly seated on spring plate.





Insert spring strut in coil spring and upper spring retainer.
Observe installation sequence,
refer to Arrangement for spring strut shock absorber.





Coil spring must form a positive connection as it rests in lower spring plate/spring pad.

Screw a new self-locking nut (1) onto piston rod until flush.

Tighten down nut with special tool 31 2 210 to specified torque:
- shock absorber piston rod on thrust bearing
- M14 64 Nm
- With external hexagon piston rod
- M12 64 Nm
- With internal hexagon piston rod
- M12 44 Nm

Release tension on coil spring until it is fully resting in lower spring plate.

Caution:
Special tool must under no circumstances be extended to such an extent that spring retainers make contact with top and bottom spring coils. This may cause damage to special tool and/or spring.