Removing and Installing Front Axle Strut

Removing and Installing Front Axle Strut






Tools

Removal
1. Lift the vehicle. Remove wheel.






2. Undo axle strut to wheel carrier. While doing so, counter with screwdriver (Torx T40) 9546 . Then press off ball joint using press-out tool 9560.

To prevent damage to the rubber sleeves of the ball joint, coat the rubber sleeves and the press-out tool in this area with tyre mounting paste.






3. Remove underside panel -1- .
4. Unscrew links for headlight beam adjustment (headlight height adjustment) on the control arm (counter with an open-ended wrench). Only on left side!
5. Remove screw -2- from diagonal arm to axle strut.
6. Remove screw -3- and remove axle strut.

Installation

Information:
- Before installing, give the parts a visual check.
- Replace fastening nuts.
- Observe correct tightening torques for front axle.
- Ball joint taper must be free of grease.
- When tightening the fastening nuts on the ball joint of the axle strut, counter with Torx screwdriver 9546 .
- It is not necessary to calibrate the sensor for headlight beam adjustment (only left vehicle side!).

1. Install in reverse order.






When installing the axle strut, make sure that axle strut fastening screw -3- is tightened only in vehicle position.

Vehicle position means: Vehicle must be standing on its wheels, or wheel suspension is lifted with a universal lift until the markings -arrow- line up

2. Check wheel alignment values and adjust if necessary.

Model year as of 1997