Table of contents: MacPherson strut suspension ↓ Air suspension ↓
Note: If components with rubber bushings have been replaced or the bolts/nuts of these components have been loosened, the suspension must be brought to the unloaded position before tightening the fasteners. The air suspension should be set to the base position.
1. Rubber bushings can only be rotated to a limited extent. Therefore, before tightening the fasteners, the suspension parts with rubber bushings must be brought to a position corresponding to the normal position of the unloaded vehicle when driving. Otherwise, the bushings are subject to twisting and their service life is reduced. The unloaded position with the vehicle raised is achieved by lifting the corresponding suspension with a transmission jack.
MacPherson strut suspension
2. With the vehicle's curb weight at 100%, measure the distance (x in the illustration) from the center of the wheel hub to the top edge of the wheel arch.
2.2. Determining the height of the unloaded suspension.
This distance can be calculated as the sum of half the diameter (a) of the wheel disk and the distance (b) from the top of the disk to the top of the wheel arch.
3. With the engine installed, place the vehicle on the lift. Secure the vehicle to the lift's legs with safety straps.
4. Remove the wheel and turn the hub so that one of the wheel bolts is in the upper position. Using a wheel bolt, secure the T10149 support to the hub (see Figure 7.11 in Chapter 7) transmission jack and raise the steering knuckle to a distance (a) equal to the distance (x in illustration 2.2).
5. Tighten the required fasteners, lower the steering knuckle, remove the jack and remove the T10149 support.
Air suspension
6. With the engine installed, place the vehicle on the lift. Secure the vehicle to the lift's legs with safety straps.
7. Clean the area around the connection and unscrew the connector (1 in the illustration) on the residual pressure valve (2) to release air.
2.7a. Connection (1) of the front pressure holding valve (2).
2.7b. Connection (1) of the rear pressure retaining valve (2).
Note: Do not loosen the valve.
Seal any open holes to prevent dirt from getting in. Remove the wheel and rotate the hub so that one of the wheel bolts is in the upper position.
8. Using a wheel bolt, secure the T10149 transmission jack support to the hub (see Figure 7.11 in Chapter 7) and raise the steering knuckle to a distance (a) from the center of the wheel hub to the top edge of the wheel arch. For the front // rear suspension, this distance is 449 // 465 mm, respectively.
9. Tighten the necessary fasteners, lower the steering knuckle, remove the T10149 support and remove the jack. Tighten the residual pressure valve connector to 10 Nm, install the wheel and pressurize the air suspension.
(A link to the original source is available on the website AudiManual.ru)