Removing and installing suspension strut

⇒ 3.2.1 Removing and installing suspension strut, basic version of running gear

⇒ 3.2.2 Removing and installing suspension strut, Sport Select running gear

3.2.1 Removing and installing suspension strut, basic version of running gear

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• Spreader - 3424-
• Torque wrench - V.A.G 1331-
• Torque wrench - V.A.G 1332-
• Engine and gearbox jack - V.A.G 1383 A-
• 36 mm socket - T10125-

• Shock absorber tool set - T10001-
• Support - T10149-
• Ring spanner insert - V.A.G 1332/7-

• Ejector - T10520-

Removing

• Lift vehicle far enough to take weight off front axle.
• Undo 12-point drive shaft nut using 36 mm socket - T10125-.
• Remove wheel.

• Unscrew nut -arrow- and pull coupling rod -1- out from suspension strut.
• Detach wire for speed sensor from suspension strut.

• Remove clip for brake line -arrow- and unhook brake line at spring strut.
• Pull connector off ABS speed sensor.

• Remove nuts -arrows-
• Pull swivel joint out of suspension link.
• Pull outer joint of drive shaft out of wheel hub.
• Secure drive shaft to body with wire.

If the drive shaft cannot be pulled out of the wheel bearing by hand, use press tool - T10520- or press tool - 3283 A-.

Before using pressure tool - T10520-, make sure that thrust piece -1- is inserted.

Using ejector - T10520- :

• To press out drive shaft -3-, secure ejector - T10520- -1- to wheel hub using 3 wheel bolts -2-.

• It is essential to follow specified sequence.

I - Tighten knurled nut -1- hand-tight.

II - Using spanner, turn only bolt -2-, not the press tool itself. Pull out drive shaft using press tool - T10520-.

• Bolt swivel joint to suspension link again.

• Use wheel bolt to attach engine and gearbox jack - V.A.G 1383 A- with support - T10149- to wheel hub.

• Separate threaded connection between wheel bearing housing and suspension strut -arrow-.

• Insert spreader - 3424- in slot in wheel bearing housing.
• Turn ratchet handle through 90° and pull off from spreader - 3424-.
• Press brake disc towards suspension strut by hand.

Otherwise the shock absorber tube can cant in the bore of the wheel bearing housing.

• Pull wheel bearing housing downwards off shock absorber tube and lower with engine and gearbox jack - V.A.G 1383 A- until shock absorber tube is free.
• 6R 2009–2014 Tie wheel bearing housing to subframe with wire.
• 6C 2014–2017 Use wire to secure wheel bearing housing to engine/gearbox mounting.
• Pull engine and gearbox jack - V.A.G 1383 A- out from under support - T10149-.

• Remove plenum chamber cover ⇒ General body repairs, exterior; Rep. gr. 50; Bulkhead; Removing and installing plenum chamber cover.
• If fitted, detach cap from shock absorber mounting.

• Unbolt upper shock absorber mounting and remove spring strut downwards.

• 1 Ratchet, commercially available
• 2 -T10001/8-
• 3 -T10001/11-
• 4 -T10001/5-

Installing

Drawing as above ⇑

• Use wheel bolt to attach engine and gearbox jack - V.A.G 1383 A- with support - T10149- to wheel hub.
• Place suspension strut on wheel bearing housing and fix in place with the multi-point socket head bolt and a new nut.

The tip of the multi-point socket head bolt must point in the direction of travel.

• Remove wire on wheel bearing housing.
• Remove spreader - 3424-.
• Raise wheel bearing housing using engine and gearbox jack until suspension strut lies against inner suspension turret.

• Position stop on suspension strut turret and tighten nuts for upper shock absorber mounting to tightening torque.

• 1 Ratchet, commercially available
• 2 -T10001/8-
• 3 Ring spanner insert - V.A.G 1332/7-
• 4 -T10001/5-
• 5 Torque wrench - V.A.G 1332-

• Remove support - T10149- from wheel hub.
• Remove engine and gearbox jack - V.A.G 1383 A- from under vehicle.
• If removed beforehand, attach cap to shock absorber mounting.
• Install plenum chamber cover ⇒ General body repairs, exterior; Rep. gr. 50; Bulkhead; Removing and installing plenum chamber cover.

Drawing as above ⇑

• Tighten threaded connection between wheel bearing housing and suspension strut -arrow-

Drawing as above ⇑

• Remove nuts -arrows-
• Pull swivel joint out of suspension link.
• Fit drive shaft into wheel bearing.

Make sure that deflector ring -1- is clipped completely onto outer joint.

• Bolt swivel joint to suspension link with new nuts -arrows-.

Use new nuts!

6C 2014–2017

Ensure that boot is not damaged or twisted.

Continue installation in reverse order of removal.

• Install wheel and tighten bolts or nuts ⇒ 1.5 Specified torques for wheel bolts.
• Tighten 12-point drive shaft nut using 36 mm socket - T10125-.

Specified torques

The two manuals give different torques for the same swivel joint nuts (N10332002): 100 Nm in the Polo 6R manual, 40 Nm +45° in the Polo 6C manual. Other cars with the same swivel joints differ too: the Audi A1 8X manual gives 100 Nm, the Škoda Fabia II manual 40 Nm +45°.

6C 2014–2017

• ⇒ 3.1 Assembly overview - suspension strut, upper suspension link
• ⇒ 2.1 Assembly overview - subframe
• ⇒ 5.1 Assembly overview - wheel bearing
• ⇒ 6.2 Assembly overview - drive shaft

3.2.2 Removing and installing suspension strut, “Sport Select” running gear

Only what differs from the procedure above; everything else is as above.

Removing

• Remove cap -1- from cover -2-.

• Press lugs -arrows- inwards, and pull connector -1- off shock absorber.

• Lever off cover -1-.

Installing

Drawing as above ⇑

• Fit cover -1-.

Drawing as above ⇑

• Fit connector -1- onto shock absorber. Lugs -arrows- must audibly engage.

Drawing as above ⇑

• Fit cap -1- onto cover -2-.

Use new nuts!