Rear Suspension

Air Spring Damper

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Torque Wrench (V.A.G 1332)

• Vehicle Diagnostic Tester (VAS 5051B)

Removing

- Activate the vehicle lift mode and place the vehicle on the lifting platform. Refer to => [ Vehicle Lift Mode ] Description and Operation.

- Bleed the rear air spring shock absorber with the (VAS 5051B).

- Loosen the wheel bolts.

- Raise the vehicle.

- Remove the wheel.

• During assembly work, make sure that no indentations form on the protective boot of the air spring shock absorber!

- Remove the luggage compartment floor..

- Remove the luggage compartment floor support..

- Remove the plugs over the threaded connections of the air spring shock absorber.

- Unscrew the threaded connections - arrows - of the air spring shock absorber.






- Remove the union nut - 1 - of the air line from the air spring shock absorber and seal both connections.






- Release and disconnect the harness connector - 1 - for the damping adjustment valve.






- Loosen the threaded connection - arrow - between the air spring shock absorber - 1 - and the coupling rod at the wheel bearing housing.






- Remove the bolt.

- Remove the steel spring shock absorber.

Installing

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

- Insert the air spring shock absorber with guide pins - arrows A - in the upper holes - arrows B - on the body.






- Tighten the bolts - arrows - on the shock absorber mount by hand.






The rear air line is covered with shrinkable tubing.






- Insert the air line until the end of the shrinkable tubing - 2 - is in contact with the union nut - 1 -.

The end of the shrinkable tubing may be a maximum of 2 mm in front of the union nut.

- Screw on the air line with the union nut - 1 - at the air spring shock absorber.






- Connect the harness connector - 1 - for the dampening adjustment valve.






- Loosen the bolt - arrow - between the air spring shock absorber - 1 - and the coupling rod at the wheel bearing housing.






• If the bores of the wheel bearing housing and air spring shock absorber for inserting the bolt are not lined up, the air spring shock absorber must be realigned. For this purpose, detach the boot and hold the rolling piston. Turn the shock absorber opposite the rolling piston until the holes are lined up. The rolling piston must not be twisted. Note the assembly instructions. Refer to => [ Align the air spring so that the pressure-holding valve is located near the imaginary axis of symmetry (approximately 10° offset from the center) on the air spring shock absorber. ] Overhaul.

- Tighten the bolt by hand.

• Only bolt the air spring shock absorber if the dimension "a" is reached. Refer to => [ Front Axle, Lifting to Curb Weight Position ] Front Axle, Lifting to Curb Weight Position.

Follow the tightening sequence for the left side.






- Tighten the bolts - 1 - to - 4 - to 50 Nm in the sequence shown.

- Then continue to turn the bolts - 1 - to - 4 - 180° in the sequence shown.

Follow the tightening sequence for the right side.






- Tighten the bolts - 1 - to - 4 - to 50 Nm in the sequence shown.

- Then continue to turn the bolts - 1 - to - 4 - 180° in the sequence shown.

- Tighten the bolts at the air spring shock absorber.

- Fill the rear air spring shock absorber using the (VAS 5051B).

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

Tightening Specification