Strut

Strut

• Strut, with adaptive chassis DCC. Removing and installing, refer to => [ Strut, with Adaptive Chassis DCC ] Strut, with Adaptive Chassis DCC.

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Spreader (3424)

• Torque Wrench (40-200 Nm) (V.A.G 1332)

• Engine-/Gearbox Jack (V.A.G 1383 A)

• Wheel Hub Support (T10149)

Removing

- Loosen the drive axle to wheel hub bolt. Refer to one of the following:

=> [ Drive Axle Bolt Loosening and Tightening, Twelve Point Bolt with Ribs ] Drive Axle Bolt Loosening and Tightening, Twelve Point Bolt with Ribs.

=> [ Drive Axle Bolt Loosening and Tightening, Twelve Point Bolt without Ribs ] Drive Axle Bolt Loosening and Tightening, Twelve Point Bolt without Ribs.

The wheel bearing must not be under a load while the drive axle bolt on the wheel side is loose.

If the wheel bearings are under the load of the vehicle weight, the wheel bearing will be damaged. This reduces the service life of the wheel bearings.

The drive axle bolt may be loosened a maximum of 90° when the vehicle is sitting on its wheels.

Vehicles without a drive axle must not be moved, otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged. If a vehicle must be moved, be sure to note the following:

• Install an outer joint in place of the drive axle.

• Tighten the outer joint to 120 Nm.

- Remove the wheel.

- Remove the level control system sensor from the control arm.

- Remove the coupling rod nut - arrow - from the strut.






- Remove the ball joint nuts - arrows -.






- Remove the wheel bearing housing and ball joint from the control arm.

- Remove the drive axle outer Constant Velocity (CV) joint from the wheel hub.

- Secure the drive axle to the body using wire.

• The drive axle must not hang down, otherwise the inner CV joint will be damaged by overflexing.

- Reinstall the ball joint to the control arm again.

- Install the engine-/gearbox jack (V.A.G 1383 A) with the wheel hub support (T10149) to the wheel hub using a wheel bolt.






- Remove the wheel bearing housing pinch bolt and nut - arrow -.






- Insert the spreader (3424) into the slot in the wheel bearing housing.






- Using a ratchet and the spreader (3424) , spread open the wheel bearing housing slot.

- Press the brake rotor in the direction of the strut by hand.

Otherwise the strut tube may be tilted in the hole in the wheel bearing housing.

- Pull the wheel bearing housing downward, from the strut tube and lower it using the engine-/gearbox jack (V.A.G 1383 A) until the strut tube hangs free.

- Secure the wheel bearing housing to the subframe using wire.

- Remove the engine-/gearbox jack (V.A.G 1383 A) from below the wheel bearing housing.

Only When Removing the Left Strut

- Remove the wiper arms.

Continuation for Both Sides

- Remove the plenum chamber cover.

- Remove the upper strut bolts - arrows - and remove the strut.






Installing

- Secure the engine-/gearbox jack (V.A.G 1383 A) with the wheel hub support (T10149) to the wheel hub using a wheel bolt.






- Install the strut to the wheel bearing housing and secure the strut using the bolt and a new nut.

The bolt end must point in the direction of travel.

- Remove the spreader (3424).

One of two marks - arrows - on the strut mounting must point in the direction of travel.






- Remove the wire holding the wheel bearing housing.

- Carefully lift the wheel bearing housing using the engine-/gearbox jack (V.A.G 1383 A) enough so that the upper strut bolts - arrows - can be installed.






If necessary, use the step ladder (VAS 5085) to install the bolts.

- Tighten the upper strut bolts - arrows -.

- Remove the wheel hub support (T10149).

- Tighten the wheel bearing housing pinch bolt and nut - arrow -.






- Remove the ball joint nuts - arrows - again.






- Insert the drive axle into the wheel hub.

- Install the wheel bearing housing and ball joint to the control arm.

- Install the ball joint to control arm nuts - arrows -.

• Make sure that the ball joint boot is not damaged or twisted.

- Tighten the drive axle bolt to wheel hub:

=> [ Drive Axle Bolt Loosening and Tightening, Twelve Point Bolt with Ribs ] Drive Axle Bolt Loosening and Tightening, Twelve Point Bolt with Ribs.

=> [ Drive Axle Bolt Loosening and Tightening, Twelve Point Bolt without Ribs ] Drive Axle Bolt Loosening and Tightening, Twelve Point Bolt without Ribs.

The vehicle must not rest on wheels when doing so.

With the bolt loosened, the wheel bearing can be damaged by the vehicle weight.

Differences Between a Twelve Point Bolt with Ribs and a Bolt without Ribs






The contact surfaces - arrows A and B - are different on the two bolts.

I Twelve point bolt with ribs - arrow A -
II Twelve point bolt without ribs - arrow B -

- Install the plenum chamber cover.

- Install the wiper arms.

Further installation is in the reverse order of removal.

- Install the wheel and tighten the bolts. Refer to => [ Wheel Bolt Tightening Specifications ] [1][2]Specifications.

Tightening Specifications