GENERAL INFORMATION

Rear suspension assembly 1 – shock absorber 2 – coil spring 3 – rear suspension crossmember 4 – upper spring mount 5 – shock absorber mount 6 – compression stop buffer 7 – brake disc 8 – wheel bearing 9 – anti-roll bar 10 – rubber-metal bearing 11 – parking brake cable

CAUTION

If the hydraulic rubber-metal mount – 13 – is damaged, replace the crossmember – 14 – as an assembly (workshop work).

Rear suspension components. Front-wheel drive models 1 – brake disc 2 – flanged twelve-point nut, 175 Nm. Self-locking, always replace. 3 – cap. Always replace. From 4/97 production onward, caps have a green sealing lacquer coating. Earlier caps must be installed with sealant. 4 – Phillips screw, 4 Nm 5 – wheel bolt, 120 Nm 6 – hub with wheel bearing 7 – bolt, 60 Nm 8 – spindle carrier 9 – bolt. Always replace. 10 – bolt, 30 Nm + 90° (1/4 turn). Always replace. 11 – mount. Do not loosen unless necessary when removing the rear suspension. If the mount has been disconnected, the camber must be adjusted. 12 – nut, 80 Nm. Always replace. Load the luggage compartment with 100 kg and tighten the nut with the vehicle standing on its wheels. 13 – rubber-metal mount or hydraulic rubber-metal mount 14 – suspension crossmember 15 – upper rubber spring ring 16 – coil spring 17 – zinc washer 18 – bolt, 60 Nm. Always replace. 19 – shock absorber 20 – bolt, 30 Nm + 90° (1/4 turn). Always replace. 21 – Allen screw, 8 Nm 22 – ABS sensor 23 – nut. Always replace. 24 – cover plate 25 – Allen screw, 65 Nm. Always replace. 26 – caliper

The rear suspension consists of two trailing arms connected by a crossmember. In front of the V-shaped crossmember is the anti-roll bar, which reduces vehicle body roll during cornering and thereby stabilizes the vehicle. The rear suspension is connected to the body through rubber-metal mounts. Vehicle springing is provided by two coil springs and two shock absorbers. The springs and shock absorbers are mounted separately, which increases the cargo space width.

The paired rear wheel ball bearings require no maintenance or adjustment.

All-wheel drive vehicles have independent rear suspension with paired transverse arms and longitudinal control arms.

A propeller shaft, final drive and two drive shafts are used to transmit torque. Rear suspension geometry can only be measured using optical methods.

CAUTION

Welding and straightening work on load-bearing and guiding rear suspension components is not permitted. Self-locking nuts and bolts/nuts showing signs of corrosion must always be replaced.