Removing and Installing Rear Spring Strut (Air Springs)

Removing and installing rear spring strut (air springs)

Preliminary work

ATTENTION: Increased risk of accident due to raising the wheel carrier incorrectly.
^ Injury and material damage possible.
-> Do not raise the wheel suspension higher than the normal vehicle position (vehicle resting on wheels). When raising the suspension, use a suitable intermediate layer (hard rubber) .
-> Do not damage the brake cover plate.

The relevant wheel must be removed when carrying out repairs to avoid damaging the driveshaft.

1. Remove wheel.


Removing rear spring strut





Air-spring strut at rear





1. To bleed the level adjustment system (compressed air must be released from the system), use the Porsche System Tester. To do this, select the Bleed level adjustment menu item in the Level adjustment system.
2. Fit protective tube on drive shaft (shop-made to protect the drive shaft).





3. Undo pressure line on the residual pressure retaining valve -arrow-(front spring strut connection in figure). Then unclip the pressure line from the brackets and set it aside.





4. Remove stone guard for CDC sensor -arrow-.





5. Disconnect CDC sensor plug connection -arrow-, remove the cable from the holder, and set the cable aside.





6. Remove the fastening screw for the connecting link/spring strut on the wheel carrier. To do this, use a suitable -> see figure lift with rubber base in order to prevent slipping. Lay the connecting link aside.





7. Remove the four fastening screws (top) -arrows-.





8. Carefully remove spring strut -> see figure downwards -arrow-.

Installing rear spring strut


ATTENTION: Increased risk of accident due to raising the wheel carrier incorrectly. When filling the air spring struts, the vehicle lifts.
^ Injury and material damage possible.
-> Do not raise the wheel suspension higher than the normal vehicle position (vehicle resting on wheels). When raising the suspension, use a suitable intermediate layer (hard rubber) .
-> Do not damage the brake cover plate.

Note:
^ Do not raise the wheel suspension higher than the normal vehicle position (vehicle resting on wheels). When raising the suspension, use a suitable intermediate layer (hard rubber).
^ Do not damage the brake cover plate.





^ 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 506 mm ± 10 mm corresponds to vehicle position!
^ Carry out a visual inspection of all parts!
^ Replace self-locking nuts!
^ If a new spring strut is fitted, it must be pre-filled to 3 bar in its original packaging.
^ Replace all expansion screws (screws which are fitted with torque angle tightening procedure)!
^ Use correct tightening torques and torque angle.





1. Insert spring strut into vehicle.





2. Fit the four fastening screws -arrows-.





3. Carefully raise the air spring strut using a suitable -figure- lift with rubber base. Then, pull the wheel carrier downwards in order to fit the fastening screw.





4. Attach the fastening screw for the connecting link/spring strut -arrow- to the wheel carrier.





5. Connect the CDC sensor plug connection to the lower part of the spring strut -(arrow)-. Insert cable into the holders.





6. Fit stone guard for CDC sensor -arrow-.





7. Fit pressure pipe to residual-pressure retaining valve. Then, clip the pressure pipe into the retaining devices.
8. Remove protective tube from driveshaft.

Subsequent work
1. Fit wheel.





2. To fill the air suspension (the system must be filled with compressed air), use the -Porsche System Tester-. To do this, select the menu item Fill air suspension in the Air suspension system.
3. Switch on level adjustment.