SUSPENSION STRUT
Special tools and workshop equipment 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»(/audi/a3/8p-2004-2008/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension__drive-axle-hex-bolt-connection-loosening)
- Refer to «DRIVE AXLE TWELVE-POINT BOLT WITH RIBS, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING»(/audi/a3/8p-2004-2008/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension__drive-axle-twelve-point-bolt-with-ribs)
- Refer to «DRIVE AXLE TWELVE-POINT BOLT WITHOUT RIBS, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING»(/audi/a3/8p-2004-2008/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension__drive-axle-twelve-point-bolt-without-ribs)
Remove the wheel.
Remove the brake caliper and tie it to the body with wire. Refer to [For engine(s) CBRA, BPY, CCTA, CBFA] Removal and Installation .
Remove brake line and electrical line bracket from wheel bearing housing.
Remove the ABS speed sensor. Refer to [For engine(s) CBRA, BPY, CCTA, CBFA] Removal and Installation .
Remove coupling rod upper hex nut -arrow- from suspension strut.
Scheme 69
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
Note. 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.
Note. 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. Refer to Removal and Installation .
Remove upper shock absorber mount hex bolts -arrows-.
Scheme 70
Remove suspension strut.
Disconnect suspension strut to wheel bearing housing connection.
Scheme 71
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 .
Tightening specifications, refer to 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.
Scheme 72
Tighten nuts -arrows-.
Tighten drive axle to wheel hub threaded connection.
- Refer to «DRIVE AXLE HEX BOLT CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING»(/audi/a3/8p-2004-2008/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension__drive-axle-hex-bolt-connection-loosening)
- Refer to «DRIVE AXLE TWELVE-POINT BOLT WITH RIBS, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING»(/audi/a3/8p-2004-2008/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension__drive-axle-twelve-point-bolt-with-ribs)
- Refer to «DRIVE AXLE TWELVE-POINT BOLT WITHOUT RIBS, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING»(/audi/a3/8p-2004-2008/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension__drive-axle-twelve-point-bolt-without-ribs)
Install plenum chamber cover. Refer to Removal and Installation .
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. Refer to [For engine(s) CBRA, BPY, CCTA, CBFA] Diagnosis and Testing .
Axle alignment is required, see Table "An axle alignment is necessary when:" WHEEL ALIGNMENT .