Table of contents: Disassembly ↓ Assembly ↓
Disassembly
Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.
Secure the front suspension shock absorber strut in the conductor 3 (Fig. 7.11) or in a vice with soft jaws and install the special device V-3612 on the coils to compress the spring. In doing so, make sure that the spring coils are securely gripped by the projections of the device (see fig. 7.12). The spring has a very high compression force, so use only a very reliable tool. Do not tie the spring with wire under any circumstances. Using a special device V-3612, compress the spring so that it moves away from the top of the rack (see fig. 7.11).
Secure the shock absorber rod with a 7 mm Allen key to prevent it from turning and, using a second open-end wrench or the AUDI 3353 wrench, unscrew the central nut securing the shock absorber rod (see fig. 7.16).
Remove the bearing, washer and upper spring plate from the shock absorber rod.
Remove the spring together with the spring compressor:
Remove protective cover 1 (Fig. 7.13) and spring support 2. Using a plastic hammer, knock down the lower plate of spring 3 (Fig. 7.13) upwards.
Assembly
Attention: When installing, it is necessary to use springs with the same stiffness on one axle of the car (with the same color marking).
Secure the front shock absorber in a jig or a vice with soft jaws. If a previously installed shock absorber is being installed, it must be pre-tested before installation.
Check the shock absorber for signs of fluid leaks. Check the entire length of the shock absorber rod for pitting. Check the shock absorber body for mechanical damage. Set the shock absorber in a vertical position and check its operation by moving the shock absorber rod through its full stroke. Also check the operation of the shock absorber by moving the shock absorber rod up and down a distance of 50-100 mm. In all cases, the shock absorber rod should move smoothly with noticeable resistance. If the shock absorber rod moves jerkily or there is mechanical damage, the shock absorber must be replaced.
Install the lower spring plate onto the shock absorber, making sure that the hole in the spring plate is perpendicular to the hole in the lower shock absorber mount fork (see fig. 7.14). The deviation of the hole in the lower spring plate from the perpendicular position should be no more than ±2°.
Install the support spring and protective cover.
Install a pre-compressed coil spring with a compression device onto the lower spring support so that its lower end is correctly positioned in the lower spring plate (see fig. 7.15).
Install the upper spring plate so that the axis passing through the mounting threaded holes is at an angle of 11° relative to the axis of the lower shock absorber mount (see fig. 7.16). Please note that the upper spring plate mount for the left and right shock absorber is different.
Using a hex key, hold the shock absorber rod from turning, screw on a new flanged nut for fastening the shock absorber rod and tighten it with a torque of 60 Nm using the AUDI 3353 key (see fig. 7.17).
Carefully remove the spring compressor.
Check that the upper coil of the spring is correctly positioned on the upper spring plate (see fig. 7.18).
Install the shock absorber strut into the vehicle.