Suspension Strut Removal and Installation
Suspension strut, removing and installing
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
Spreader 3424:
Shock absorber set T10001:
Removing
- Raise vehicle.
- Remove wheel.
- Disconnect harness connector - 1 - on vehicles with brake pad wear indicator.
- Remove heat shield - 1 -.
- To do so, press tab - arrow A - inward using a screwdriver and simultaneously slide heat shield - 1 - in direction of - arrow - upward.
- In vehicles with brake pad wear indicator, remove bolt - arrow B - to remove bracket for brake pad wear indicator.
- Remove both guide pins - arrows - from brake caliper.
- Remove brake caliper housing and secure with wire so that the weight of the brake caliper does not stress or damage the brake hose.
- Remove coupling rod from control arm.
- Detach wire for speed sensor from suspension strut.
Right suspension strut
If right suspension strut is to be removed, additional work is required
- Remove sound insulation pan - arrows -.
Vehicles with TDI engine
- Remove charge air pipe between charge air cooler and turbocharger.
Continued for all vehicles
- Remove right sound insulation panel.
- Remove drive axle from flange shaft/transmission.
The continued work procedure is valid for both sides
- Unbolt wheel bearing housing/suspension strut bolt connection.
- Insert spreader 3424 into slot - arrow -.
- Turn ratchet 90° and remove from 3424.
- Press brake disc by hand in direction of suspension strut.
- Otherwise strut tube may be canted in the hole of the wheel bearing housing.
- Remove wheel bearing housing from strut tube downward.
- Remove wiper arms.
- Remove outer plenum chamber cover.
- Remove hex-nut for top strut mounting
1 - Commercially available ratchet
2 - T10001/8
3 - T10001/11
4 - T10001/5
- Remove suspension strut.
Installing
- Insert suspension strut.
- Remove spreader 3424.
- Tighten wheel bearing housing/suspension strut bolt connection.
- Rest of installation of suspension strut is in reverse order of removal.