Volkswagen Tiguan Service and Repair Manual: Suspension Strut

Overview - Suspension Strut

Note

Overview - suspension strut for adaptive chassis DCC.

1. Shock Absorber
   • Can be replaced individually
   • Allocation. Refer to the Parts Catalog.
2. Stop Buffer
   • Allocation. Refer to the Parts Catalog.
3. Protective Cover
4. Coil Spring
   • Removing and installing.
   • Note the color code
   • Allocation. Refer to the Parts Catalog.

Spring allocation via PR No.

These numbers can be found on vehicle data plate.

• Surface of spring coil may not be damaged

5. Deep-Groove Ball Bearing
6. Strut Mount
   • Note the installation position.
7. Hex Nut
   • 60 Nm
   • Always replace if removed
   • M14 x 1.5
   • Self-locking
8. Suspension Strut Tower
9. Bolt
   • 15 Nm + 90º
   • Always replace if removed
   • M8 x 26

Suspension Strut, Removing and Installing

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• Spreader Tool -3424-
• Torque Wrench 1332 40-200Nm -VAG1332-
• Engine and Gearbox Jack -VAS6931-
• Engine/Gearbox Jack Adapter - Wheel Hub Support -T10149-
• Drive Shaft Remover -T10520-

Removing

• Loosen the drive axle bolt on the wheel hub:
  • Twelve-point bolt with ribs.
  • Twelve-point bolt without ribs.

Caution

The wheel bearing must not be under load when the drive axle threaded connection on the wheel side is loose.

If the wheel bearings are under the load of the vehicle weight, the wheel bearing will be damaged. This reduces the service life of the wheel bearings.

The drive axle bolt may be loosened maximum 90º when the vehicle is standing on its wheels.

Vehicles without a drive axle must not be moved, otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged. If a vehicle must be moved, be sure to note the following:

• Install an outer joint in place of the drive axle.
• Tighten the outer joint to 120 Nm.

 

• Remove the wheel.
• Remove the nut -arrow- of the connecting link from suspension strut.

• Remove the nuts -arrows-.
• Remove the wheel bearing housing with the ball joint from the control arm.
• Remove the drive axle outer joint from the wheel hub.

If the drive axle cannot be pulled out of the wheel bearing, then the drive axle can be pushed out of the wheel bearing using the Drive Shaft Remover -T10520-.

Before using the Drive Shaft Remover -T10520-, make sure that the thrust piece -1- is installed.

Using the Drive Shaft Remover -T10520-:

• Secure the Drive Shaft Remover -T10520--1- with three wheel bolts -2- on the wheel hub, so that the drive axle -3- can be pressed out.

• Follow the specified sequence exactly.

1. Tighten the knurled nut -1- hand-tight.
2. Only turn the bolt -2- using a wrench and press out the driveshaft using the Drive Shaft Remover -T10520-.

Note

At the end of the tasks or to set back, the spindles must be brought back into the original position so that the hydraulic operation can be used.

• Secure the drive axle to the body using wire.

Note

The drive axle must not hang down, otherwise the inner joint will be damaged by over bending.

• Bolt the ball joint to the control arm again.

 

• Secure the Engine and Gearbox Jack -VAS6931- using the Engine/Gearbox Jack Adapter - Wheel Hub Support -T10149- to the wheel hub with a wheel bolt.

• Disconnect the threaded connection for the wheel bearing housing/suspension strut -arrow-.

• Insert Spreader Tool -3424- into wheel bearing housing slot.
• Turn the ratchet 90º and remove it from the Spreader Tool -3424-.
• Press the brake rotor toward the suspension strut by hand.

Otherwise strut tube may be canted in hole of wheel bearing housing.

• Pull off wheel bearing housing downward from strut tube and lower using Engine/Gearbox Jack -VAG1383A- as far until strut tube hangs freely.
• Secure the wheel bearing housing to the subframe with wire.
• Remove the Engine and Gearbox Jack -VAS6931- from under the wheel bearing housing.

Only when Removing the Left Suspension Strut

• Remove the wiper arms.

Continuation for Both Sides

• Remove the plenum chamber cover.
• Remove the hex bolts -arrows- for the upper strut mount and remove the suspension strut.

Installing

• Secure the Engine and Gearbox Jack -VAS6931- using the Engine/Gearbox Jack Adapter - Wheel Hub Support -T10149- to the wheel hub with a wheel bolt.
• Attach suspension strut to wheel bearing housing and secure suspension strut using socket head bolt and new nut.

The point of the internal multi-point bolt must face the direction of travel

• Remove the Spreader Tool -3424-.

One of two markings -arrows- on the spring plate must point in the direction of travel.

• Remove wire on wheel bearing housing.

• Carefully lift the wheel bearing housing using the transmission jack enough so that the suspension strut/strut tower bolts -arrows- can be installed.

If necessary, use ladder, for example the Step Ladder -VAS5085- to install bolts.

• Tighten the hex bolts for the upper strut mount -arrows-.
• Remove the Engine/Gearbox Jack Adapter - Wheel Hub Support -T10149-.

• Tighten the threaded connection on the wheel bearing housing/suspension strut -arrow-.

• Remove the nuts -arrows-.
• Insert the drive axle into the wheel hub.
• Insert the wheel bearing housing with the ball joint into the control arm.
• Attach the ball joint to the control arm -arrows-.

Note

Make sure the ball joint boot is not damaged or twisted.

• Tighten the drive axle bolt to the wheel hub:
  • Twelve-point bolt with ribs.
  • Twelve-point bolt without ribs.

Caution

The vehicle must not be resting on the wheels when doing so.

When the bolt is loose, the wheel bearing can be damaged by the vehicle's weight.

Difference between A Twelve-Point Bolt with Ribs and A Twelve-Point Bolt without Ribs

The contact surfaces -arrow A- and -arrow B- are different on the two-point bolts.

1. Twelve-point bolt with ribs -arrow A-
2. Twelve-point bolt without ribs -arrow B-

• Install plenum chamber cover.
• Install the wiper arms.

Install in reverse order of removal.

• Install the wheel and tighten.

Tightening Specifications

Component	Tightening Specification
Suspension strut to wheel bearing housing Use new nut	70 Nm + 90º
Suspension strut to body (suspension strut tower) Use new bolts.	15 Nm + 90º
Ball joint to aluminum control arm: Use new nuts Tighten only in curb weight position.	60 Nm
Ball joint to sheet steel control arm Use new nuts Tighten only in curb weight position.	100 Nm
Connecting link to suspension strut Use new nut Counterhold at joint pin inner multi-point fitting	65 Nm
Driveshaft to wheel hub "twelve-point bolt with ribs" Use a new bolt	70 Nm + 90º
Driveshaft to wheel hub "twelve-point bolt without ribs" Use a new bolt	200 Nm +180º

Suspension Strut, Servicing

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• Torque Wrench 1332 40-200Nm -VAG1332-
• Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Tensioner -VAG1752/1-
• Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Retainer w/Inserts -VAG1752/5-
• Spring Compressor Kit - Strut Clamping Block -VAG1752/20-
• Shock Absorber Set -T10001-
• Ratchet (Commercially Available)

• Remove the suspension strut.

Coil Spring, Removing

• Clamp the Spring Compressor Kit - Strut Clamping Block -VAG1752/20--4- in a vise.
• Tighten the suspension strut in the Spring Compressor Kit - Strut Clamping Block -VAG1752/20--4-.
• Pretension the coil spring using the Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Tensioner -VAG1752/1- until the upper deep-groove ball bearing is free.

1. Torque Wrench 1332 40-200Nm -VAG1332-
2. Shock Absorber Set - Extension SW7 -T10001/8-
3. Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Tensioner -VAG1752/1-
4. Spring Compressor Kit - Strut Clamping Block -VAG1752/20-
5. Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Retainer w/Inserts -VAG1752/4-
6. Shock Absorber Set - Socket -T10001/5-
7. Shock Absorber Set - Reversible Ratchet -T10001/11-

WARNING

First pre-load the spring so that the tension is relieved on upper spring plate!

• Make sure the coil spring fits correctly inside the Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Retainer with Inserts -VAG1752/4--arrow-.
• Remove the hex nut from the piston rod.
• Remove the individual components of the suspension strut and coil spring with the Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Tensioner -VAG1752/1-.

Coil Spring, Installing

• Place the coil spring with Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Tensioner -VAG1752/1- on lower spring washer.

The end of the spring coil must rest against the stop -arrow-.

• Tighten the new hex nut to the piston rod.
• Relieve the tension on the Spring Compressor Kit - Spring Tensioner -VAG1752/1- and remove it from the coil spring.
• Install the suspension strut.

Tightening Specifications

Component	Tightening Specification
Suspension strut mount to damper Use new nut	60 Nm