Front Suspension

Suspension Strut

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Angle Wrench (V.A.G 1756)

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

• Spreader (3424)

• Ball Joint Puller (3287 A)

• Vehicle Diagnostic, Testing and Information System (VAS 5051B)

Removing

- Loosen the drive axle threaded connection on the wheel side.

• Refer to => [ Drive Axle Hex Bolt Connection, Loosening and Tightening ] Description and Operation

• Refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt with Ribs, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt With Ribs, Loosening and Tightening

• Refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt without Ribs, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt Without Ribs, Loosening and Tightening

- Remove the wheel.

- Remove the brake caliper and tie it to the body with wire.

- Remove brake line and electrical line bracket from wheel bearing housing.

- Remove the ABS speed sensor. Refer to => Brake System 45 Removal and Installation.

- Remove coupling rod upper hex nut - arrow - from suspension strut.






- Disengage wire for wheel speed sensor from suspension strut.

- Loosen nut of track rod ball joint, but do not unscrew yet.






- Press off track rod ball joint from wheel bearing housing using (3287A) and now remove nut.

- In vehicles with level control system sensor, remove nut - 3 -.






- On vehicles with electronically-controlled damping (Audi magnetic ride), disconnect connector - 2 -.






Ignore the - arrows -

• Remove the connector with both hands. Use one hand to open the retainer and use the other hand to press it off. Do not use tools.

- Remove the nuts - arrows -.

- Guide transverse link out of ball joint and remove wheel bearing housing from drive axle splines.

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

• Secure drive axle to body using wire.

- Remove the plenum chamber cover.

- Remove upper shock absorber mount hex bolts - arrows -.






- Remove suspension strut.

- Disconnect suspension strut to wheel bearing housing connection.






- Insert (3424) into slot of wheel bearing housing.

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

- Remove suspension strut - 1 - from wheel bearing housing - 2 -.

Installing

Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following:

Tightening specifications, refer to => [ Wheel Bearing Housing and Wheel Bearing Unit Overview ] Service and Repair.

Tightening specifications, refer to => [ Subframe, Diagonal Brace, Ball Joint, Stabilizer Bar, Transverse Link, Bracket and Vehicle Level Sensor Overview ] Subframe, Diagonal Brace, Ball Joint, Stabilizer Bar, Transverse Link, Bracket and Vehicle Level Sensor Overview.

- Insert suspension strut, one of the two markings - arrows - must point in direction of travel when doing this.






- Tighten nuts - arrows -.






- Tighten drive axle to wheel hub threaded connection.

• Refer to => [ Drive Axle Hex Bolt Connection, Loosening and Tightening ] Description and Operation

• Refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt with Ribs, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt With Ribs, Loosening and Tightening

• Refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt without Ribs, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt Without Ribs, Loosening and Tightening

- Install plenum chamber cover.

- On vehicles with electronically-controlled damping (Audi magnetic ride), reprogram the control position using the (VAS 5051B).

- On vehicles with level control system sensor, perform headlamp basic setting.

- Axle alignment is required, see Table => [ An axle alignment is necessary when: ] Wheel Alignment.