Disassembling Front Spring Strut

Information 

Recommendation for workshops replacing shock absorbers/spring dampers:

• Dampers can be replaced separately up to a mileage of 30, 000 km or 3 years. 
• If the mileage is > 30, 000 km or the components are more than 3 years old, we recommend replacing them in pairs. 

Information 

• Protect electric lines when removing and installing the spring strut. 
• Do not lift/transport the spring strut/shock absorber at the electric lines. 
• Do not damage electric lines when transporting, unpacking, storing or disassembling and assembling the spring strut. 
• Sort and mark individual components of the spring strut before setting them down. 
• When using the spring compressor, always make sure that the spring compressor is seated and fitted correctly on the spring! Danger of injury! 

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Securing spring strut (shown as an example)

1. To prevent damage (deformation), clamp the spring strut in a suitable support clamp (tensioning device for McPherson spring struts). Alternatively, the spring clamp can also be held in a retaining device.
2. Pre-tension the coil spring using > V.A.G 1752/1 - Spring clamp  until the piston rod is relieved. The appropriate forks must be inserted into the spring clamp.
3. Use > 3186 - socket-wrench insert  or > 9630/2 - socket-wrench insert  to loosen the hexagon nut (securing piston rod to spring-strut mount).

   When loosening the hexagon nut, counter at the piston rod using a suitable open-ended wrench or ring wrench.

4. Remove all parts from the piston rod.

Assembling front spring strut 

Information 

If the coil spring is replaced: Always replace coil springs in pairs only!

Information 

• When installing new parts, observe the allocation according to the Spare Parts Catalog. 
• The coil springs are only available in pairs (as a set). 
• The spring-strut mounts for the right and left sides are identical parts. 

1. Assemble spring strut.
   1. 1.1  Insert additional spring -8-  at the correct position -arrow-  in the bellows -7-  .

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      Fitting additional spring and bellows

   2. 1.2  Fit stop washer -9-  and lower spring plate -10-  on the vibration damper -11-. 

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      Assembling spring strut

   3. 1.3  Place bellows -7-  with additional spring -8-  and coil spring -6-  on the vibration damper -11-  .

      Information 

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      Color marking on coil spring (shown as an example)

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      Tolerance compensation shim (shown as an example)

      • Coil spring marking -1- comprising two different colored lines (e.g. one red and one white line) indicates the spring rate and spring length (depending on vehicle variant and equipment). 
      • A marking -2- comprising one colored line indicates the coil spring tolerance group (load group) and determines whether or not a tolerance compensation shim -arrows- will be installed. The colored line -2- is either YELLOW or BLUE. 
      • If you are installing new coil springs, then order two tolerance compensation shims at the same time. As coil springs of load group 1 or 2 will be supplied, you will then have the tolerance compensation shims for installation (if required). 
      • Yellow colored line -2- = do not use a tolerance compensation shim. Only relevant when replacing coil springs. Remove any tolerance compensation shims that may be fitted as standard (installation permitted during production with borderline tolerance). Blue colored line -2- use a tolerance compensation shim. 
2. Assemble spring-strut mount -2-, ball bearing -3-, tolerance compensation shim -2- (if available or required/see information) and upper spring plate -5- and fit them on the piston rod.

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   Fitting spring-strut supporting mount for spring strut (shown as an example)

   Make sure that the coil spring is positioned correctly at the upper/lower spring plate -arrows-  .

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   Positioning coil spring (shown as an example)

3. Tighten hexagon nut using > 9630/2 - socket-wrench insert  or > 3186 - socket-wrench insert  .

   When tightening the hexagon nut, counter at the piston rod using a suitable open-ended wrench or ring wrench. >

4. Remove spring compressor and check once again that all components are positioned correctly.