Contents - Volkspage

Suspension and steering 10.3
2.10a Removing the front suspension strut
top cap
2.10b View of the front suspension strut
upper mounting from below
4 Remove the brake disc with reference to
Chapter 9, then unbolt the splash plate from
the strut.
5 Unscrew the nut securing the steering tierod
end to the strut, then use a balljoint
separator to release the tie-rod.
6 Remove the anti-roll bar as described in
Section 7. Alternatively the track control arm
and anti-roll bar can be levered downwards
later (paragraph 8).
7 Unscrew and remove the clamp bolt
securing the track control arm to the wheel
bearing housing/strut noting that the bolt
head faces forward.
8 Push the control arm down to disconnect
the balljoint then move the strut sideways.
9 Unscrew the driveshaft nut, then pull the
strut out and at the same time tap the
driveshaft through the hub with a mallet.
the cap from the top of the strut then unscrew
the self-locking nut while supporting the strut
from below (see illustrations). If necessary
hold the shock absorber rod stationary with a
spanner.
11 Lower the strut from under the car.
12 If necessary remove the cups and rubber
mountings from the front suspension tower.
Refitting
10 Working in the engine compartment prise talcum powder.
13 Refitting is a reversal of removal, but
renew the upper rubber mountings if
necessary. Refer to Section 7 when refitting
the anti-roll bar, Chapter 9 when refitting the
brake disc and Chapter 8 when tightening the
driveshaft nut. Finally check and if necessary
adjust the front wheel alignment as described
in Section 20. If difficulty is experienced fitting
the upper rubber mounting first dust it with
Exploded view of front
suspension strut
1 Self-locking nut
2 Damping ring
3 Slotted nut
4 Suspension strut
bearing
5 Spring retainer
6 Washer
7 Bump stop
8 Boot
9 Coil spring
10 Screw cap
11 Piston rod guide seal
12 Shock absorber
13 ‘Wet type’shock
absorber
14 Shock absorber
cartridge
15 Wheel bearing housing
16 Splash plate
17 Wheel bearing
18 Circlip
19 Wheel hub
20 Brake disc
2 1 Wheel bolt
A! Warning: Before attempting to
dismantle the suspension strut,
a suitable tool to hold the coil
spring in compression must be
obtained. Adjustable coil spring
compressors are readily available, and are
recommended for this operation. Any
attempt to dismantle the strut without
such a tool is likely to result in damage or
personal injuy.
Note: A special slotted socket is required to
remove and refit the upper spring seat
retaining nut; alternatives to the VW tool are
available from specialist automotive tool
manufacturers (eg. Sykes Pickavant) (see Tool
Tip).
Removal
1 Remove the front suspension strut as
described in Section 2.
2 Using a spring compression tool compress
the coil spring until it is clear of the upper
retainer.
3 Using the special slotted socket, unscrew
the slotted nut from the shock absorber rod
and withdraw the spring retainer, washer,
bump stop, boot, and coil spring (see
illustration). If a special tool to engage the
slotted nut is not available, use a pair of grips.
4 Remove the compressor tool. 10
Refitting
5 Refitting is a reversal of removal with
reference to Section 2 when refitting the strut.
Tighten the slotted nut to the specified torque.