Front Suspension
Suspension Strut
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
• Torque Wrench 40-200 Nm (V.A.G 1332)
• Spreader (3424)
• Engine/Gearbox Jack (V.A.G 1383 A)
• Wheel Hub Support (T10149)
Removing
- Loosen drive axle bolt to wheel hub:
• Twelve-point bolt with ribs, refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt with Ribs, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt with Ribs, Loosening and Tightening.
• Twelve-point bolt without ribs, refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt without Ribs, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt without Ribs, Loosening and Tightening.
The wheel bearing must not be under a load while the drive axle threaded connection on the wheel side is loose.
If the wheel bearings are under the load of the vehicle's own weight, the wheel bearing will be damaged. This reduces the service life of the wheel bearings.
The drive axle bolt may be loosened maximum 90° when the vehicle is standing 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.
- Loosen the wheel bolts.
- Raise the vehicle.
- Remove the wheel.
- Remove the nut - arrow - and coupling rod - 1 - from the suspension strut.
- Disengage the wire for the ABS speed sensor from the suspension strut.
- Remove the nuts - arrows -.
- Remove both the wheel bearing housing and ball joint from the control arm.
- Remove the drive axle outer joint from the wheel hub.
- Secure drive axle to body using wire.
The drive axle must not hang down, otherwise the inner joint will be damaged by overflexing.
- Bolt ball joint to control arm again.
- Fasten (V.A.G 1383 A) using (T10149) to wheel hub with a wheel bolt.
• Do not lift or lower vehicle when the (V.A.G 1383 A) stands below the vehicle. Vehicle could slip off lift.
• Do not leave (V.A.G 1383 A) below vehicle any longer than necessary.
- Disconnect threaded connection of wheel bearing housing/suspension strut - arrow -.
- Insert (3424) into slot of wheel bearing housing.
- Using a ratchet and the (3424) , open the wheel bearing housing slot.
- Press the brake rotor toward the suspension strut.
Otherwise shock absorber tube may be canted in hole of wheel bearing housing.
- Pull off wheel bearing housing downward from shock absorber tube and lower using (V.A.G 1383 A) as far until shock absorber tube hangs freely.
- Tie the wheel bearing housing to the subframe.
- Remove (V.A.G 1383 A) from below wheel bearing housing.
• Do not leave (V.A.G 1383 A) below vehicle any longer than necessary.
- Remove the plenum chamber cover.
- Remove the hex bolts - arrows - for upper strut mount and remove suspension strut.
Installing
Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:
- Secure (V.A.G 1383 A) with (T10149) to wheel hub using a wheel bolt.
- Position the suspension strut on the wheel bearing housing and secure it with the internal multi-point bolt and a new nut.
Socket head bolt tip must point in direction of travel.
- Remove (3424).
One of two markings - arrows - on spring plate must point in direction of travel.
- Untie the wheel bearing housing from the subframe.
- Carefully lift the wheel bearing housing with the transmission jack far enough until it is possible to install the bolts that connect the suspension strut to the suspension strut tower - arrow -.
If necessary, use a ladder, for example step ladder (VAS 5085) , to when installing the bolts.
- Tighten hex bolts for upper strut mounting - arrows -.
- Remove (T10149).
- Tighten threaded connection of wheel bearing housing/suspension strut - arrow -.
- Remove the nuts - arrows -.
- Insert drive axle into wheel hub.
- Insert wheel bearing housing with ball joint into control arm.
- Attach the ball joint to the control arm - arrows -.
• Make sure that the ball joint boot is not damaged or twisted.
- Tighten drive axle bolt to wheel hub:
• Twelve-point bolt with ribs, refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt with Ribs, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt with Ribs, Loosening and Tightening.
• Twelve-point bolt without ribs, refer to => [ Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt without Ribs, Loosening and Tightening ] Drive Axle Twelve-Point Bolt without Ribs, Loosening and Tightening.
Vehicle must not rest on wheels when doing so.
With bolt loosened, wheel bearing can be damaged by vehicle's own weight.
Differences Between a Twelve-Point Bolt with Ribs and a Twelve-Point Bolt without Ribs
The contact surfaces - arrow A - and - arrow B - are different on the two-point bolts.
I Twelve-point bolt with ribs - arrow A -
II Twelve-point bolt without ribs - arrow B -
- Install the plenum chamber cover.
Further installation is in the reverse sequence to removal.
- Install the wheel and tighten the wheel bolts. Refer to => [ Wheel Bolt Tightening Specification ] [1][2]Specifications.
Tightening Specifications
