Remove and Install Strut

Pull off the cap -1- for the strut nut in the engine compartment.

If the strut is to be disassembled after removal, loosen the upper strut nut, 18 mm, with a deep-offset ring spanner. Hold the piston rod with a 6 mm hex key so it cannot turn. Caution: the vehicle must be standing on the ground.

Mark the position of the front wheel relative to the wheel hub with paint.

This allows the balanced wheel to be refitted in the same position. Loosen the wheel bolts. The vehicle must be standing on the ground.

Raise the vehicle at the front and remove the front wheels.

Unscrew the upper strut mounting bolts -2-.

Unscrew the lower strut mounting bolts from the steering knuckle.

Remove the strut downward, pressing the two locating pins -3- through the holes in the strut tower.

Insert the strut from below and engage the two locating pins in the strut tower.

Tighten the strut to the strut tower with 30 N·m.

Install the lower strut mounting bolts to the steering knuckle. Tightening torque M10 bolts: 70 N·m; M12 bolts: 100 N·m.

Press the cap onto the strut nut in the engine compartment.

Fit the front wheel so that the marks made during removal align. Beforehand, lightly grease the wheel centering seat on the hub and the conical face of the wheel bolts with wheel bearing grease. Do not grease or oil the wheel bolt threads. Install the wheels.

Lower the vehicle and tighten the wheel bolts crosswise to 90 N·m.

Check clearance of the brake hose and ABS sensor line. For this, have an assistant turn the front wheels fully left and right to the stop.