Seat Leon 2013 Instruction manual

Workshop Manual
León 2013 ➤
León ST 2013 ➤
Running gear, axles, steering
Edition 06.2018
Service
Service Department. Technical Information

List of Workshop Manual Repair Groups
Repair Group
00 - Technical data
40 - Front suspension
42 - Rear suspension
43 - Self-levelling suspension
44 - Wheels, tyres, vehicle geometry
48 - Steering
Technical information should always be available to the foremen and mechanics, because their
careful and constant adherence to the instructions is essential to ensure vehicle road-worthiness and
safety. In addition, the normal basic safety precautions for working on motor vehicles must, as a
matter of course, be observed.
Service

Contents
00 - Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1 Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1 Safety precautions when working on vehicles with a start/stop system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Safety precautions when working on a high-voltage system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.3 Safety precautions when working in the vicinity of high-voltage components . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.4 Safety precautions when working on subframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Repair instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1 Leaking shock absorbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2 Noisy shock absorbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.3 Checking shock absorbers when removed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.4 Steering rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.5 Gaskets, seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.6 Bolts, nuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.7 Electrical components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.8 Raising wheel bearing assembly to unladen position (vehicles with coil springs) . . . . . . . . 5
3 Evaluating accident vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.1 Checklist for evaluating running gear of accident vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4 Waste disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.1 Releasing gas and draining front gas-filled shock absorbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.2 Releasing gas and draining rear gas-filled shock absorbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
40 - Front suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
1 Front axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
1.1 Overview of fitting locations - front axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2 Subframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.1 Assembly overview - subframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.2 Removing and installing subframe without steering rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.3 Removing and installing subframe with steering rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.4 Repairing subframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
2.5 Removing and installing anti-roll bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
2.6 Removing and installing coupling rod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
2.7 Repairing thread in longitudinal member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
2.8 Fixing position of subframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
2.9 Lowering subframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
3 Suspension strut, upper suspension link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
3.1 Assembly overview - suspension strut, upper suspension link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
3.2 Removing and installing suspension strut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
3.3 Repairing suspension strut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
4 Lower suspension link, swivel joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
4.1 Assembly overview - lower suspension link, swivel joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
4.2 Removing and installing lower suspension link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
4.3 Checking swivel joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
4.4 Removing and installing swivel joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
4.5 Renewing bonded rubber bush for lower suspension link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
5 Wheel bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
5.1 Assembly overview - wheel bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
5.2 Removing and installing wheel bearing housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
5.3 Removing and installing wheel bearing unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
6 Drive shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
6.1 Overview - drive shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
6.2 Assembly overview - drive shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
6.3 Removing and installing drive shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
León 2013 ➤ , León ST 2013 ➤
Running gear, axles, steering - Edition 06.2018
Contents i

6.4 Loosening and tightening threaded connections of drive shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
6.5 Removing and installing drive shaft heat shield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
6.6 Dismantling and assembling drive shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
6.7 Checking outer constant velocity joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
6.8 Checking inner constant velocity joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
42 - Rear suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
1 Rear axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
1.1 Overview - rear axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
1.2 Lowering rear axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
1.3 Removing and installing rear axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
1.4 Removing and installing shield for rear axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
2 Axle beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
2.1 Assembly overview - axle beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
2.2 Renewing bonded rubber bush for axle beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
3 Subframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
3.1 Assembly overview - subframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
3.2 Assembly overview - add-on parts for subframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
3.3 Secure the subframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
3.4 Repairing subframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
4 Anti-roll bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
4.1 Assembly overview - anti-roll bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
4.2 Removing and installing anti-roll bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
4.3 Removing and installing coupling rod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
5 Suspension link, track rod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
5.1 Assembly overview - transverse links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
5.2 Assembly overview - track rod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
5.3 Removing and installing upper transverse link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
5.4 Removing and installing lower transverse link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
5.5 Removing and installing coupling rod (for anti-roll bar) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
6 Suspension strut, shock absorber, spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
6.1 Assembly overview - suspension strut, shock absorber, spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
6.2 Shock absorber: removing and fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
6.3 Repairing shock absorber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
6.4 Removing and installing spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
7 Wheel bearing, trailing arm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
7.1 Assembly overview - wheel bearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
7.2 Assembly overview - trailing arm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
7.3 Removing and installing wheel bearing housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
7.4 Removing and installing wheel bearing unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
7.5 Renewing bonded rubber bush for wheel bearing housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
7.6 Removing and installing trailing arm with mounting bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
7.7 Repairing trailing arm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
8 Drive shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
8.1 Assembly overview - drive shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
8.2 Removing and installing drive shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
8.3 Dismantling and assembling drive shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
8.4 Loosening and tightening threaded connections of drive shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
8.5 Checking outer constant velocity joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
8.6 Checking inner constant velocity joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
43 - Self-levelling suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
1 Electronically controlled damping system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
1.1 Assembly overview - electronically controlled damping system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
1.2 Removing and installing electronically controlled damping control unit J250 . . . . . . . . . . 276
León 2013 ➤ , León ST 2013 ➤
Running gear, axles, steering - Edition 06.2018
ii Contents

1.3 Removing and installing front body acceleration senders G341 / G342 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
1.4 Removing and installing rear body acceleration sender G343 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
2 Vehicle level sender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
2.1 Assembly overview - front vehicle level sender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
2.2 Assembly overview - rear vehicle level senders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
2.3 Removing and installing front vehicle level senders G78 / G289 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
2.4 Removing and installing rear vehicle level senders G76 / G77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
44 - Wheels, tyres, vehicle geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
1 Wheel alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
1.1 Notes for wheel alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
1.2 Test requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
1.3 Preparing for measuring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
1.4 Specified values for wheel alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
1.5 Setting vehicle to initial position for wheel alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
1.6 Wheel alignment procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
1.7 Necessity of wheel alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
1.8 Front axle camber: correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
1.9 Adjusting camber at rear wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
1.10 Adjusting toe setting at rear wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
1.11 Adjusting front axle convergence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
1.12 Wheel runout compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
1.13 Vehicle data label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
1.14 Checking full wheel lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
2 Rough running due to wheels/tyres - causes and rectification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
2.1 Causes of imbalance when driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
2.2 Conducting a road test before balancing wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
2.3 Balancing wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
2.4 Vibration control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
2.5 Checking radial and lateral runout of wheels and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
2.6 Checking radial and lateral run-out on wheel rim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
2.7 Matching wheels and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
2.8 Determining flat spots on tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
2.9 Lateral deviation: verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
3 Adaptive cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
3.1 Calibrating adaptive cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
4 Front camera for driver assist systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
4.1 Calibrating front camera for driver assist systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
48 - Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
1 Steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
1.1 Assembly overview - steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
1.2 Steering wheel: removing and fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
2 Steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
2.1 Assembly overview - steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
2.2 Checking steering column for damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
2.3 Handling and transporting steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
2.4 Steering column: removing and fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
2.5 Removing and installing control unit for electronic steering column lock J764 . . . . . . . . . . 356
3 Steering rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
3.1 Assembly overview - steering box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
3.2 Removing and installing steering box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
3.3 Dustguard: disassembly and assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
3.4 Removing and installing coupling rod (for anti-roll bar) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
3.5 Removing and installing track rod ball joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
León 2013 ➤ , León ST 2013 ➤
Running gear, axles, steering - Edition 06.2018
Contents iii

3.6 Repairing steering box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
4 Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
4.1 Removing and installing steering angle sender G85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
León 2013 ➤ , León ST 2013 ➤
Running gear, axles, steering - Edition 06.2018
iv Contents

00 – Technical data
1 Safety instructions
(ERL003798; Edition 06.2018)
⇒ “1.1 Safety precautions when working on vehicles with a start/
stop system”, page 1
⇒ “1.2 Safety precautions when working on a high-voltage sys‐
tem”, page 1
⇒ “1.3 Safety precautions when working in the vicinity of high-
voltage components”, page 2
⇒ “1.4 Safety precautions when working on subframe”,
page 2
1.1 Safety precautions when working on vehicles with a start/stop system
Risk of injury due to unexpected motor start
If the vehicle’s start/stop system is activated, the engine can start
unexpectedly. This can be identified by a message in the dash
panel insert.
– Deactivate start/stop system by switching off the ignition.
1.2 Safety precautions when working on a high-voltage system
Danger to life due to high voltage
The high voltage system carries high voltage. Risk of severe or
fatal injury due to electric shock.
– Persons who wear electronic or medical devices on their body
(both inside and outside) to maintain vital functions or improve
their health may never carry out work on the high-voltage sys‐
tem. These devices may include for instance internal dosage
pumps for pain killers, implanted defibrillators, pacemakers,
insulin pumps and hearing aids.
– A correspondingly qualified person must switch off the power
for the high-voltage system.
Risk of injury due to unexpected motor start
On electric and hybrid vehicles, the operational readiness of the
vehicle is difficult to detect. Body parts may become jammed and
get pulled in.
– Switch off ignition.
– Always store the ignition key outside the vehicle.
Risk of damage to high-voltage cables
Improper handling can damage the insulation of high-voltage ca‐
bles or connectors.
– Never support yourself on high-voltage cables or connectors.
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1. Safety instructions 1

– Never support tools on high-voltage cables or connectors.
– Never bend high-voltage cables tightly or kink them.
– Always connect high-voltage connectors according to coding.
1.3 Safety precautions when working in the vicinity of high-voltage components
Danger to life due to high voltage
The high voltage system carries high voltage. Death or severe
physical injuries caused by electric shock if components and high-
voltage cables are damaged.
– Subject high-voltage components and cables to a visual in‐
spection.
– Never use cutting or forming tools, or any other sharp-edged
tools.
– Never use heat sources such as welding, brazing, soldering,
hot air or thermal bonding equipment.
1.4 Safety precautions when working on
subframe
♦ No welding or straightening work can be done on the support
and guide elements of the wheel guide system.
♦ Always renew corroded nuts and bolts.
♦ The bonded metal-rubber bushes have a limited torsion mar‐
gin. Therefore, tighten the bolted connections of components
with bonded rubber bushes only when the wheel bearing
housing has been raised (unladen state) ⇒ page 5 .
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2 Rep. gr.00 - Technical data

2 Repair instructions
⇒ “2.1 Leaking shock absorbers”, page 3
⇒ “2.2 Noisy shock absorbers”, page 3
⇒ “2.3 Checking shock absorbers when removed”, page 4
⇒ “2.4 Steering rack”, page 4
⇒ “2.5 Gaskets, seals”, page 5
⇒ “2.6 Bolts, nuts”, page 5
⇒ “2.7 Electrical components”, page 5
⇒ “2.8 Raising wheel bearing assembly to unladen position (ve‐
hicles with coil springs)”, page 5
2.1 Leaking shock absorbers
Shock absorbers are often replaced because of externally visible
leakage. Inspections on the test rig and in the vehicle have shown
that in the majority of cases this replacement is not justified.
Slight loss of fluid (“sweating”) at the piston rod seal is not a rea‐
son for replacing a shock absorber. A shock absorber with slight
fluid leakage can be accepted as "OK" under the following con‐
ditions:
♦ Fluid seepage (as shown in the shaded part of the illustration)
is visible, but the fluid is dull and possibly dried by dust.
♦ The fluid seepage extends only from the top shock absorber
seal (piston rod oil seal) down to the bottom spring plate
-arrow-.
2.2 Noisy shock absorbers
Shock absorbers are often replaced because of noises (rumbling,
etc.) experienced by the customer. Inspections on the test rig and
in the vehicle have shown that in approx. 70 % of these cases
there is no case for complaint. The replacement was not justified.
In the case of complaints regarding rumbling or knocking noises
please proceed as follows.
– Carry out a road test with the customer - if possible on a dry,
uneven road - to establish when, where and how the noises
occur.
Note
These noises are only very rarely caused by the shock absorbers.
León 2013 ➤ , León ST 2013 ➤
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2. Repair instructions 3

2.3 Checking shock absorbers when re‐
moved
Defective shock absorbers can be identified by loud rumbling
noises when driving, caused by wheel hopping, especially on bad
roads. Heavy fluid leakage is an additional visual indication.
Note
Shock absorbers are maintenance-free; shock absorber fluid can‐
not be topped up.
After removal, a shock absorber can be checked by hand as fol‐
lows:
– Compress shock absorber by hand.
• The piston rod should move smoothly over the entire stroke
with uniform resistance and without jolts.
– Release the piston rod.
• If the shock absorber has sufficient gas pressure the piston
rod will return by itself to its original position.
Note
♦ If this is not the case, the shock absorber does not necessarily
need to be renewed. Provided there has been no major loss
of fluid, it will still be as effective as a conventional shock ab‐
sorber.
♦ Even without gas pressure, the shock absorber will provide full
damping effect as long as there has been no major loss of fluid.
However, it may produce more noise.
2.4 Steering rack
To achieve the desired results when performing repairs on the
steering box it is important to work with the greatest possible care
and cleanliness, and to use proper tools in good condition. Always
observe the basic safety rules when performing servicing proce‐
dures.
A number of general notes on the individual repair procedures,
which were otherwise repeated in the relevant sections of the
manual, are summarised here. They apply for this particular work‐
shop manual.
♦ Thoroughly clean all unions and the adjacent areas before
disconnecting.
♦ Ensure proper seating of dowel sleeves for centralising sus‐
pension bracket and steering box when installing.
♦ Place parts that have been removed on a clean base and cov‐
er them so that they do not get dirty. Use foil or paper. Use
only lint-free cloths.
♦ Only fit clean parts: remove the wrapping of the spare just be‐
fore use.
♦ Use only the grease and sealants with specified part numbers.
♦ If repair work cannot be performed immediately, carefully cov‐
er or seal components.
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4 Rep. gr.00 - Technical data

2.5 Gaskets, seals
♦ Always renew oil seals and seals.
♦ Check contact surface on housing or shafts for burrs and dam‐
age after removing the seals, and repair as required.
♦ Completely remove all residue from liquid sealants from the
sealing surfaces, making sure that no residual sealant gets
into the steering box housing.
2.6 Bolts, nuts
♦ Loosen and tighten bolts and securing nuts for covers and
housings diagonally.
♦ Avoid canting particularly sensitive parts such as control motor
with control unit. Loosen and tighten them diagonally in
stages.
♦ The specified torque values listed apply to unlubricated nuts,
bolts and screws.
♦ Always renew self-locking bolts and nuts.
2.7 Electrical components
You are bound to have received an electric shock at some time
on touching metal objects, caused by the electrostatic charge of
the human body. This charge can cause malfunctions if you touch
the electric steering box and steering column components.
– Before working on electrical components, touch an earned
object, such as a water pipe or a lifting platform. Do not directly
touch connector contacts.
2.8 Raising wheel bearing assembly to un‐
laden position (vehicles with coil
springs)
⇒ “2.8.1 Raising wheel bearing assembly to unladen position (ve‐
hicles with coil springs), front axle”, page 5
⇒ “2.8.2 Raising wheel bearing assembly to unladen position (ve‐
hicles with coil springs), rear axle”, page 8
2.8.1 Raising wheel bearing assembly to un‐
laden position (vehicles with coil
springs), front axle
Special tools and workshop equipment required
León 2013 ➤ , León ST 2013 ➤
Running gear, axles, steering - Edition 06.2018
2. Repair instructions 5

♦ Engine and gearbox jack - VAS 6931-
♦ Tensioning strap - T10038-
♦ Mounting - T10149-
Caution
All bolts on running gear components with bonded rubber
bushes may be tightened only when the component is in the
unladen position (normal position).
The bonded metal-rubber bushes have a limited torsion mar‐
gin.
Axle components with bonded rubber bushes must therefore
be brought to a position equivalent to the unladen (normal) po‐
sition before being tightened.
The bonded rubber bushes are otherwise constantly tensioned
and have a shorter service life.
To simulate this position on the lifting platform, raise the respec‐
tive wheel suspension with the engine and gearbox jack - VAS
6931- and support - T10149- .
León 2013 ➤ , León ST 2013 ➤
Running gear, axles, steering - Edition 06.2018
6 Rep. gr.00 - Technical data

Before raising wheel unit, secure vehicle to arms of lifting platform
using tensioning straps - T10038- .
WARNING
If the vehicle is not strapped down, there is a danger that the
vehicle will slip off the lifting platform/hoist.
– Turn wheel hub until one of the wheel bolt holes is at the top.
– Attach support - T10149- to wheel hub using wheel bolt.
Respective nuts and bolts may be tightened only when dimension
-a- between the centre of wheel hub and edge of wheel housing
has been attained.
Note
This measurement must be taken with the suspension in the un‐
laden position (vehicle unladen).
The dimension -a- depends on the ride height of the installed run‐
ning gear:
Front running gear 1) Height of bodywork -a- in mm
Standard running gear 384 mm
Running gear for sports model 369 mm
Running gear for poor roads 399 mm
Running gear for poor roads 384 mm
Cupra running gear with DCC 359 mm
Cupra running gear without
DCC
369 mm
Cupra R chassis with DCC 359 mm
1) The running gear fitted to the vehicle is specified in the vehicle data sheet. The
running gear is identified by the PR number. The PR number assigned to the
running gear is found here ⇒ page 309 .
– Raise wheel bearing housing using engine and gearbox jack
- VAS 6931- until dimension -a- is attained.
WARNING
♦ Do not raise or lower the vehicle while the engine and
gearbox jack is positioned under the vehicle.
♦ Do not leave the hydraulic jack - VAS 6931- underneath
the vehicle longer than necessary.
– Tighten respective nuts and bolts.
– Lower wheel bearing housing.
– Pull engine and gearbox jack - VAS 6931- out from under ve‐
hicle.
– Remove support - T10149- .
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2. Repair instructions 7

2.8.2 Raising wheel bearing assembly to un‐
laden position (vehicles with coil
springs), rear axle
Special tools and workshop equipment required
♦ Engine and gearbox jack - VAS 6931-
♦ Tensioning strap - T10038-
♦ Mounting - T10149-
León 2013 ➤ , León ST 2013 ➤
Running gear, axles, steering - Edition 06.2018
8 Rep. gr.00 - Technical data

Caution
All bolts on running gear components with bonded rubber
bushes may be tightened only when the component is in the
unladen position (normal position).
The bonded metal-rubber bushes have a limited torsion mar‐
gin.
Axle components with bonded rubber bushes must therefore
be brought to a position equivalent to the unladen (normal) po‐
sition before being tightened.
The bonded rubber bushes are otherwise constantly tensioned
and have a shorter service life.
To simulate this position on the lifting platform, raise the axle on
one side using the engine and gearbox jack - VAS 6931- and
support - T10149- .
Before the axle on one side is raised, both sides of the vehicle
must be strapped to the lifting platform arms with tensioning
straps - T10038- .
1 - Tensioning strap - T10038-
WARNING
If the vehicle is not strapped down, there is a danger that the
vehicle will slip off the lifting platform/hoist.
– Turn wheel hub until one of the wheel bolt holes is at the top.
– Use wheel bolt to attach support - T10149- .
León 2013 ➤ , León ST 2013 ➤
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2. Repair instructions 9

Respective nuts and bolts may be tightened only when dimension
-a- between the centre of wheel hub and edge of wheel housing
has been attained.
Note
This measurement must be taken with the suspension in the un‐
laden position (vehicle unladen).
The dimension -a- depends on the ride height of the installed run‐
ning gear:
Running gear, rear 1) Height of bodywork -a- in mm
Standard running gear 381 mm
Running gear for sports model 366 mm
Running gear for poor roads 396 mm
Running gear for poor roads 381 mm
Cupra running gear with DCC 361 mm
Cupra running gear without
DCC
366 mm
Cupra R chassis with DCC 361 mm
2) The running gear fitted to the vehicle is specified in the vehicle data sheet. The
running gear is identified by the PR number. The PR number assigned to the
running gear is found here ⇒ page 309 .
– Raise wheel bearing housing using engine and gearbox jack
until dimension -a- is attained.
WARNING
♦ Do not raise or lower the vehicle while the engine and
gearbox jack is positioned under the vehicle.
♦ Do not leave the hydraulic jack - VAS 6931- underneath
the vehicle longer than necessary.
– Tighten respective nuts and bolts.
– Lower wheel bearing housing.
– Pull engine and gearbox jack - VAS 6931- out from under ve‐
hicle.
– Remove support - T10149- .
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10 Rep. gr.00 - Technical data

3 Evaluating accident vehicles
⇒ “3.1 Checklist for evaluating running gear of accident vehicles”,
page 11
3.1 Checklist for evaluating running gear of
accident vehicles
Damage to running gear may go unnoticed during repairs to load-
bearing and suspension parts of accident vehicles. Under certain
circumstances, this undiscovered damage could lead to serious
consequential damage during later vehicle operation. Therefore,
the following parts of accident vehicles must be examined in the
manner and order described independent of wheel alignment
which may have to be performed. If no deviations from specifica‐
tions are measured during wheel alignment, there are no defor‐
mations of the running gear.
Visual and functional check for the steering system.
♦ Visual examination for cracks and deformation.
♦ Examination for play in track rod joints and steering box
♦ Visual examination for tears in boots
♦ Examination of electrical wiring and hydraulic lines and hoses
for chafing, cuts and kinks.
♦ Check hydraulic lines, threaded connections and steering box
for leaks.
♦ Check steering box and lines for secure seating
♦ Check for flawless function from lock to lock by moving the
steering from stop to stop. In the process, the steering wheel
must turn with a constant force without resistance.
Visual inspection and functional check of the running gear.
• Adhere to the sequence of the following inspection steps!
♦ Check all components shown in the assembly overviews for
deformation, cracks and other damage
♦ Renew damaged parts.
♦ Align the vehicle axles using a wheel alignment unit authorised
by SEAT.
Visual and functional check of wheels and tyres
♦ Check for true running and imbalance.
♦ Check tyres for cuts and impact damage in tread and on flanks.
⇒ page 311
♦ Check tyre inflation pressure; information on mandatory tyre
inflation pressure can be found on a sticker attached to B-pillar
on driver side or to inside of tank flap.
If rim of wheel and/or tyre is damaged, renew tyre. This also ap‐
plies if the circumstances of the accident and the damage to the
vehicle indicate possible damage which is not visible.
A further factor in the decision is the age of the tyre. Tyres should
not be older than 6 years.
If in doubt, the following always applies:
• Whenever a safety risk cannot be excluded, the tyre(s) must
be renewed.
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3. Evaluating accident vehicles 11

Entire vehicle
Also check other vehicle systems such as:
♦ Brake system including ABS
♦ Visual and functional examination of exhaust system and pas‐
senger protection
Specifications for testing and adjusting can be found in the re‐
spective workshop manual in ELSA.
The examination for accident vehicles described here refers to
the running gear and does not purport to be a complete exami‐
nation of the entire vehicle.
Electronic vehicle systems
Safety-relevant systems such as ABS/EDL; airbags; electronical‐
ly regulated suspension systems; electromechanical or electro‐
hydraulic steering and other driver assist systems must be read
with the for possibly stored fault messages. If faults are saved in
the event memories of the systems mentioned above, repair them
according to instructions in workshop manuals in ELSA. Following
repairs, read event memories of the affected systems again to
ensure that complete function has been restored.
León 2013 ➤ , León ST 2013 ➤
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12 Rep. gr.00 - Technical data

4 Waste disposal
⇒ “4.1 Releasing gas and draining front gas-filled shock absorb‐
ers”, page 13
⇒ “4.2 Releasing gas and draining rear gas-filled shock absorb‐
ers”, page 15
4.1 Releasing gas and draining front gas-fil‐
led shock absorbers
⇒ “4.1.1 Releasing gas and draining front gas-filled shock ab‐
sorbers, conventional shock absorbers”, page 13
⇒ “4.1.2 Releasing gas and draining front gas-filled shock ab‐
sorbers, DCC shock absorbers”, page 14
4.1.1 Releasing gas and draining front gas-fil‐
led shock absorbers, conventional
shock absorbers
– Clamp gas-filled shock absorber vertically in vice, with piston
rod pointing downwards.
WARNING
Safety goggles must be worn when drilling.
– Drill a 3 mm ∅ hole -A- through outer tube of shock absorber.
Note
Gas will escape during drilling.
– Continue to drill until the inside pipe (depth of approx. 25 mm)
has been drilled through.
– Drill a 6 mm hole -B- through outer and inner tube of shock
absorber.
– Hold shock absorber over an oil drip tray. Move the piston rod
back and forth over its full extension until no further oil es‐
capes.
León 2013 ➤ , León ST 2013 ➤
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4. Waste disposal 13

4.1.2 Releasing gas and draining front gas-fil‐
led shock absorbers, DCC shock ab‐
sorbers
– Clamp gas-filled shock absorber vertically in vice.
WARNING
Safety goggles must be worn when drilling.
– Drill a 3 mm ∅ hole -A- through outer tube of shock absorber.
Note
Gas will escape during drilling.
– Continue to drill until the inside pipe (depth of approx. 25 mm)
has been drilled through.
– Drill a 6 mm hole -B- through outer and inner tube of shock
absorber.
– Hold shock absorber over an oil drip tray. Move the piston rod
back and forth over its full extension until no further oil es‐
capes.
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14 Rep. gr.00 - Technical data