Bottom Axle Strut

Removing and installing bottom axle strut





Tools

Removal





Caution! Danger of injury and material damage if the wheel carrier is raised incorrectly!
^ Do not raise the wheel suspension higher than the normal vehicle position (vehicle resting on wheels)!
^ When raising, use a suitable intermediate layer (hard rubber)!
^ Do not damage the brake cover plate!

- Lift the vehicle. Remove front wheel.

1. Fix -top axle strut- with tension jack VW 552 (vehicle in illustration with conventional suspension). This involves tensioning axle strut slightly because top ball joint can otherwise get damaged. To do this, the tension jack is engaged into the top opening of the wheel house (double panel) and in the axle strut.
2. Release fastening nut from bottom ball joint and press off with press-out tool T 10187. When doing this, leave fastening nut flush on ball pin, so as not to damage thread. Then remove the lower fastening screw of the spring strut. For this purpose, lift wheel carrier with a suitable -lift with rubber base- (to prevent slipping) to the extent that the screw can be unscrewed easily.
3. Mark eccentric screws for adjusting camber and caster on suspension subframe (facilitates fitting when reinstalling). Then remove eccentric screws. When doing so, ensure that steering sleeve is not damaged by eccentric.
4. Pull (press) axle strut out of the suspension subframe mounting points -A-.
5. Remove fastening nut from ball joint. Tilt -axle Strut down all the way and pull ball joint carefully out of the wheel carrier.

Installation

Caution! Danger of injury and material damage if the wheel carrier is raised incorrectly!
^ Do not raise the wheel suspension higher than the normal vehicle position (vehicle resting on wheels)!
^ When raising, use a suitable intermediate layer (hard rubber)!
^ Do not damage the brake cover plate!

1. Install in reverse order.
2. Following this repair work, vehicle must be aligned!





^ The entire threaded parts of the axle must be tightened in vehicle position! Vehicle position means: vehicle standing on the wheels, or the wheel suspension is being raised with a universal vehicle lift! -Dimension X-, from lower edge of wing to middle of axle 502 mm ± 10 mm corresponds to vehicle position!





^ Use an intermediate layer (hard rubber)! Do not damage the brake cover plate!
^ Screws are Dacromet-coated and must not be greased!
^ Use new screws and fastening nuts!
^ Use correct tightening torques!