Replacing Front Left or Right Spring Strut (M Model)

31 31 031 - Replacing front left or right spring strut (M model)





Special tools required:
- 31 3 340 31 3 340 Spring Tensioner
- 31 3 341 31 3 340 Spring Tensioner
- 31 3 355 31 3 350 Spring Holder
- 31 3 381 31 3 350 Spring Holder





Note:
In a warranty case you must always provide a fault memory printout, even where there is no fault memory entry, with the defective part.





Warning!
Prior to each use of the special tool 31 3 340 31 3 340 Spring Tensioner, it is essential to read the associated Owner's Handbook fully!

All the safety precautions and instructions contained in the Owner's Handbook 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 suspension 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 tasks:
- Remove front spring strut Removing and Installing Complete Left or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber





Removing:

Clamp special tool 31 3 341 31 3 340 Spring Tensioner in vice.

Fit special tools 31 3 381 31 3 350 Spring Holder and 31 3 355 31 3 350 Spring Holder from above on special tool 31 3 341 31 3 340 Spring Tensioner until locking pins (1) can be felt and heard to snap into place.

Check seating of special tools 31 3 381 31 3 350 Spring Holder and 31 3 355 31 3 350 Spring Holder, correct if necessary.





Clean coil spring to remove coarse contamination and take up with special tools 31 3 381 31 3 350 Spring Holder and 31 3 355 31 3 350 Spring Holder.

Turn spring strut until lower end of coil spring rests centrally in opening of special tool 31 3 381 31 3 350 Spring Holder.

Warning!
Upper coil of coil spring must rest completely in recess of special tool 31 3 355 31 3 350 Spring Holder!

Compress coil spring until stress on piston rod is relieved.





Release nut (gripping piston rod in the process).





Remove joint seat (1), support bearing (2), spring plate (3) with bearing, spring pad (4) and gaiter (5).





Relieve tension on coil spring and remove.





If necessary, remove thrust washer (1), auxiliary damper (2) and spring pad (3) from shock absorber.

Remove shock absorber from special tool 31 3 381 31 3 350 Spring Holder.

Assembly:

Check auxiliary damper (2) and spring pad (3) for damage, replace if necessary.

Note:
Align spring pad (3) by way of recess to spring plate.





Accommodate shock absorber and coil spring with special tools 31 3 381 31 3 350 Spring Holder and 31 3 355 31 3 350 Spring Holder.

Turn coil spring until lower end of coil spring rests centrally in opening of special tool 31 3 381 31 3 350 Spring Holder.

Warning!
Do not compress coil spring to full extent.

Pictured coil of coil spring must rest completely in recess of special tool 31 3 355 31 3 350 Spring Holder!

Tension coil spring.

Check installation position of spring pad, if necessary relieve tension on coil spring and correct installation position.





Check support bearing (2), spring plate (3) with bearing, spring pad (4) and gaiter (5) for damage, replace if necessary.

Attach spring plate (3) with bearing and spring pad (4) with gaiter (5) to piston rod.

Attach thrust bearing (2) and joint seat (1) to piston rod.





Note:
Joint plate is correctly seated in support bearing mounts after tension is relieved on coil spring.

Replace nut and tighten down (gripping piston rod in so doing).

Tightening torque 31 31 2AZ Spring Struts (Front).





Important!
Upper coil of coil spring must rest positively on spring plate!

Lower end of coil spring must be aligned centrally to opening in special tool 31 3 381 31 3 350 Spring Holder!

Relieve tension on coil spring.

Check installation position of gaiter, correct fold if necessary.

Note:
End of coil spring must not touch against shoulder of spring pad.

The recess only serves to reinforce and correctly seat the spring pad and does not serve as a stop for the spring end.





After installation:

- Carry out wheel alignment check KDS Chassis/Wheel Alignment Check with Load Up to Design Position if a spring strut with support bearing was or has been installed without centering pin.