Removing and Installing/Replacing Rear Left or Right Coil Spring

33 53 000 - Removing and installing/replacing rear left or right coil spring





Special tools required:
- 31 3 340 31 3 340 Spring Tensioner
- 31 3 341 31 3 340 Spring Tensioner
- 31 3 353 31 3 350 Spring Holder





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 rear spring strut shock absorber unit Removing and Installing Rear Left or Right Spring Strut Shock Absorber.





Clamp special tool 31 3 341 31 3 340 Spring Tensioner at guide (1) in vice.

Slide special tools 31 3 353 31 3 350 Spring Holder into each housing over taper of special tool 31 3 341 31 3 340 Spring Tensioner.

Locking pins (2) must be felt and heard to snap into place.





Spring retainers must each be inserted from chamfer (1) of special tool 31 3 341 31 3 340 Spring Tensioner.

Locking pins must be felt and heard to snap into place.

Check seating of spring retainers again.





Warning!
Keep protective inserts and spring retainers clean and free from oil and grease.





Fit spring between spring retainers.

Important!
Do not damage protective tube (1).





Important!
Spring coils (1) must rest completely in openings (2).





Warning!
When tensioned, the spring coils must rest completely in the spring retainer recess.

The special tool 31 3 341 must not be tightened or untightened with an impact screwdriver.

The coils may not be tensioned on a block.

Only tighten down the coil springs until stress on the thrust bearing is relieved.

The nut may only be released when the spring coils are resting completely in the recess of the spring retainer! Repeat tensioning process if necessary.





Release nut (1), gripping piston rod if necessary.

Installation Note:
Replace self-locking nut.

Tightening torque 33 52 3AZ Shock Absorbers (Rear).





The springs must be replaced only in pairs per axle. Springs with identical colour marking (at end of spring) must be used.

Refer to the Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for the springs required for the respective type of vehicle and, if applicable, matching optional equipment variants (e.g. air conditioning), chassis type and model series.





Place coil spring in spring holders.

The end of the spring (1) must point centrally downwards on the side with the smaller spring diameter.





Installation Note:
The end of the spring must touch the stop on the spring pad (1). The locator on the spring pad (2) must rest in the recess of the spring plate.





Installation Note:
Make sure that the correct thrust bearing is installed on each side of the vehicle and it is aligned correctly corresponding to the line holders.