SEAT Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Removing and installing suspension strut

Special tools and workshop equipment required

t	Spreader -3424-

t	Torque wrench -V.A.G 1332-

t	Engine/gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A-

t	Mounting -T10149-

Carry out the following work: Removal: –  Loosen drive shaft bolt at wheel hub → Chapter.   Caution Wheel bearings must not be subjected to load after loosening bolt securing drive shaft at wheel hub. If they have to support the weight of the vehicle they will be damages and their service life will be reduced. It is not permissible to turn drive shaft bolt more than 90° anti-clockwise if vehicle is standing on its wheels. Do not attempt to move the vehicle without the drive shafts fitted; this would result in wheel bearing damage. If it is necessary for a vehicle to be moved, please comply with the following instructions: t  Install an outer joint instead of the drive shaft. t  Tighten the outer joint to 120 Nm. –  Loosen wheel bolts. –  Raise the vehicle. –  Remove wheel.

–  Unscrew nut -arrow- and pull coupling rod -1- off suspension strut.

–  Remove nuts -arrows-. –  Pull wheel bearing housing with swivel joint out of suspension link. –  Pull outer joint of drive shaft out of wheel hub. –  Secure drive shaft to body with wire.   Caution Do not let the drive shaft hang down under its own weight, as otherwise excessive bending could damage the inner CV joint. –  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.   WARNING t  Do not raise or lower vehicle while engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- is positioned under the vehicle. The vehicle could slip of the platform. t  Do not leave engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- under vehicle for longer than necessary.

–  Separate the threaded steering knuckle/suspension strut union -arrow-.

–  Fit Separator device -3424- in the steering knuckle groove. –  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 the engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- until shock absorber tube is free. –  Firmly tie wheel bearing housing to subframe. –  Pull engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- out from under wheel bearing housing.   WARNING Do not leave engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- under vehicle for longer than necessary. –  Remove windscreen wiper motor → Rep. gr.92.

–  Remove hexagon bolts -arrows- for upper shock absorber mounting and remove suspension strut. Installation

–  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. –  Take out spreader tool -3424-.

Insert spring plate with one of the two markings -arrows- pointing in direction of travel. –  Untie wheel bearing housing from subframe.

–  Carefully raise wheel bearing housing with the gearbox jack until bolts for connecting suspension strut to strut turret -arrows- can be inserted. If necessary, use a ladder, e.g. step ladder -VAS 5085-, to insert the bolts. –  Tighten hexagon bolts -arrows- for upper shock absorber mounting. –  Detach support -T10149-.

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

–  Remove nuts -arrows-. –  Fit drive shaft in wheel hub. –  Fit wheel bearing housing with swivel joint in suspension link. –  Bolt swivel joint to suspension link -arrows-.   Note Ensure that bellows are not damaged or twisted. –  Tighten drive shaft bolt at wheel hub → Chapter.   Note During this step, vehicle must not be standing on its wheels or wheel bearing will be damaged. –  Install windscreen wiper motor → Rep. gr.92. Perform remaining installation in reverse order of removal. –  Fit and secure wheel.

Specified torques

Component	Tightening torque
Suspension strut to wheel bearing housing t  Use new nuts	70 Nm + 90°
Suspension strut to body (suspension turret) t  Use new bolts.	15 Nm + 90°
Swivel joint to cast steel suspension link t  Use new nuts	60 Nm
Swivel joint to sheet steel or forged aluminium suspension link t  Use new nuts	100 Nm
Coupling rod to suspension strut t  Use new nuts t  Counterhold on multi-point socket of joint pin	65 Nm
Drive shaft to hub t  Use new bolt.	70 Nm + 90°