Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
31 00... Instructions (damage to suspension)
Substandard roadholding, atypical noises, tires worn on one side, camber and toe-in values which deviate from nominal value and mis-shaped components are all indicators of damage to the suspension caused by road traffic accidents or similar impacts.
You must also follow the rules and guidelines for ACCIDENT-RELATED REPAIRS TO THE STEERING GEAR .
Troubleshooting
| Vehicle condition | Possible cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Camber inside/toe-in outside the nominal value, adjustment of track alignment possible | a) Screw connection not OK | a) Check screw connections: TIE ROD END to swivel bearing TIE ROD to power steering gear POWER STEERING GEAR to front axle carrier |
| b) Tie rod or journal of tie rod end is deformed | b) Replace TIE ROD , TENSION STRUT
, and SWIVEL BEARING
IMPORTANT:
If the journal of the tie rod end is deformed, the POWER STEERING GEAR must also be replaced
|
|
| c) One or both tension struts is/are deformed | c) Replace TENSION STRUT and SWIVEL BEARING | |
| d) Control arm deformed | d) Replace CONTROL ARM , TENSION STRUT , and SWIVEL BEARING | |
| 2 Camber inside/toe-in outside the nominal value, adjustment of track alignment possible | Powerful forces acting on steering/front axle components | Replace TIE RODS Replace SWIVEL BEARING Replace POWER STEERING GEAR Replace TENSION STRUT Replace CONTROL ARMS |
| 3 Camber/toe-in outside the nominal value, adjustment of track alignment not possible | Powerful forces acting on front axle with distortion of: | |
| a) Screw connections | a) Check screw connections, replace the relevant part if necessary | |
| b) Front axle support | b) Replace FRONT AXLE CARRIER | |
| c) See Pt. 1b) to d) | c) See Pt. 1b) to d) | |
| d) Spring strut/piston rod | d) Replace SPRING STRUT |
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.