Page 3913 of 4133
Fig. 5: Clamping Tensioning Device Horizontal In Vise And Rear Spring 
5. Rotate rear spring by approx. a quarter of a revolution (counterclockwise) so that the end of the rear 
spring winding is located approximately in the center of the clamping plate (arrow b).  
6. Check whether the lugs of the clamping plates are above the rear spring windings (arrow c), if necessary 
correct the position of the rear spring.  
7. Compress rear spring.  
REMOVE/INSTALL FRONT SPRING - AR32.20-P-0200GH 
MODEL 163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 SUSPENSION Suspension - 163 Chassis  
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        Page 3914 of 4133
Fig. 6: Identifying Front Sp ring Components (1 Of 2)  
Fig. 7: Identifying Front Sp  ring Components (2 Of 2)
 
   
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 SUSPENSION Sus pension - 163 Chassis  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:37:35 PMPage 6 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  
     
        
        Page 3915 of 4133

 Steel spring suspension of front axle 
Repair materials 
REMOVE/INSTALL REAR SPRING - AR32.20-P-0230GH 
MODEL 163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175
1Remove, Install   
 
Risk of fatal accident from 
vehicle slipping or toppling off 
the lift platform 
Jack up vehicleAlign vehicle between the columns of lifting 
platform and position the four support plates 
below the support strong points specified by the 
vehicle manufacturer.
AS00.00-Z-
0010-01A 
2
Measure spring preload of 
torsion bar spring (16a) using 
caliper gage at bore
 Installation: Restore spring preload. 
3
Unscrew bolt (16c) and then 
release tension of torsion bar 
spring (16a) Installation: regrease bolt (16c). The rubber 
bellows (16i) must be filled with grease.*BR00.45-Z-
1005-06A
4Undo bolt (16f) in profile sleeve 
(16e). *BA32.20-P-
1001-01A
5Slide back profile sleeve (16e).  
6Remove torsion bar spring 
(16a). Installation: The position of the torsion bar 
spring (16a) relative to the clamping lever (16d) 
is indicated (arrow).
 
7Loosen bolt (16h). Remove end 
cover (16g). *BA32.20-P-
1002-01A
8Remove torsion bar spring (16a) 
from clamping lever (16d). Installation: Grease gearing on torsion bar 
spring. Observe markings.*BR00.45-Z-
1005-06A
9Install in the reverse order  
10
Check vehicle level at front and 
rear axles with electronic 
inclinometer and adjust if 
necessary.
 AR40.20-P-
0301GH 
11 
 
Check and correct headlamp 
adjust 
Check and correct headlamp 
adjustment
 AP82.10-P-
8260GH 
Number Designation Model 163 
BA32.20-P-1001-01ABolt on profile sleeveNM23
BA32.20-P-1002-01ABolt in end coverNMapprox.23
NumberDesignationOrder number
BR00.45-Z-1005-06APasteA 000 989 76 51
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 SUSPENSION Suspension - 163 Chassis  
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        Page 3916 of 4133
Fig. 8: Identifying Rear Spring Components 
  Remove/Install   
 Risk of injury with 
trapped or crushed 
fingers when working on 
springs or spring-loaded 
componentsUse only approved 
tensioning devices; 
additionally shield off 
hazardous area if 
necessary. 
Inspect special tools for 
damage and proper 
operation (visual 
inspection). 
Wear protective gloves.AS00.00-Z-0001-01A 
 Notes on self-locking nuts 
and boltsAll modelsAH00.00-N-0001-01A 
1Remove spring strut from 
rear axle AR32.25-P-1016GH
2Remove shock absorber 
from spring strut AR32.25-P-0200-07GH
   *BA32.25-P-1003-03D
   Spring 
compressorFig. 2
   Tensioning platesFig. 3
3Unclamp rear spring Installation: ? 
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 SUSPENSION Suspension - 163 Chassis  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:37:35 PMPage 8 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  
     
        
        Page 3917 of 4133
 Rear axle shock absorber   
Fig. 9: Identifying Tensioning Device (203 589 01 31 00)
  
Fig. 10: Identifying Tensioning Plates (163 589 00 63 00)
 
REMOVE/INSTALL TORSION BAR ON   FRONT AXLE - AR32.20-P-0300GH 
MODEL 163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175
  Compress rear spring.AR32.20-P-0200-06GH
   Spring  
compressorFig. 2
   Tensioning platesFig. 3
4Install in the reverse order  
 Testing  
5Check and correct 
headlamp adjustment  
 Check and correct  
headlamp adjustmentAP82.10-P-8260GH 
NumberDesignationModel Series 163
BA32.25-P-1003-03DSelf-locking nut, shock  
absorber to rear springNM30
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 SUSPENSION Sus  pension - 163 Chassis  
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Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:37:35 PMPage 9 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  
     
        
        Page 3918 of 4133
Fig. 11: Identifying Torsion Bar On Front Axle 
Modification notes 
10.7.00Figure modified from 23 Nm to 
15 NmValue in BA32.20-P-1004-02G changed for 
model 163*BA32.20-P-1004-
02G
 
 Remove/Install   
 Notes on self-locking nuts and boltsAll modelsAH00.00-N-
0001-01A 
 
If a part of the version up to 31.07.98 (A) is 
defective, the repair kit, which still only 
contains parts for the version as of 01.08.98 
(B), must be installed in pairs
  
1.1Remove bottom engine compartment 
paneling Model 163.157/ 172/ 174/ 175.AR61.20-P-
1105GH 
1.2Remove noise encapsulation Model 163.113 /128.AR94.30-P-
5400GH
2Remove bracket (22b) at bottom track 
control arm (4) *BA32.20-P-
1002-02G
3Remove retaining bracket (21b) *BA32.20-P-
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 SUSPENSION Suspension - 163 Chassis  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:37:35 PMPage 10 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  
     
        
        Page 3919 of 4133

 Front axle torsion strut 
REMOVE/INSTALL TORSION BAR ON REAR AXLE - AR32.20-P-0315GH 
MODEL 163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175
1003-02G
4Remove torsion bar (10)
 Installation:The torsion bar curvature 
must point downwards in the area of the 
shock absorber mounting on the 
transverse control arm. Center torsion bar.
 
5Pull rubber mounts (22a, 21a) off torsion 
bar Installation: Observe installation 
position of rubber mounts. 
6.1Remove washers (21i)
 Models up to 31.07.98.
 
 Retaining bracket and anti-shift device of 
torsion bar modifiedBT32.20-P-
0003-01GH
7Undo and remove slide lock (21k)
 Installation: Center the torsion bar 
first then tighten the bolts of the anti-shift 
device (21k).
 
 *BA32.20-P-
1004-02G
8Remove retaining bracket (21e)
 Installation: Observe assignment of 
retaining bracket (left and right version). 
 *BA32.20-P-
1001-02G
9.1Press sleeve (21h) out of retaining bracket 
(21e)
 Models up to 31.07.98.
 
 Retaining bracket and anti-shift device of 
torsion bar modifiedBT32.20-P-
0003-01GH
10Install in the reverse order  
NumberDesignationModel Series 163
BA32.20-P-1001-02GBolt, retaining bracket to 
frameNM100
BA32.20-P-1002-02GBolt, torsion bar to 
wishboneNM68
BA32.20-P-1003-02GBolt, retaining bracket to 
torsion barNM50
BA32.20-P-1004-02GBolt, torsion bar clampNM15
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 SUSPENSION Suspension - 163 Chassis  
me  
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        Page 3920 of 4133
Fig. 12: Identifying Torsion Bar On Rear Axle 
 Rear axle torsion strut 
REMOVE/INSTALL FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER - AR32.25-P-0105GH 
MODEL 163.113 /128 /136 /154 /157 /172 /174 /175
Figure item, 
etc.Work instructions  
 
Installation Replace self-locking nuts 
and bolts.  
 Bearing with nut (78f) Installation: Observe order of 
components (78a-78f)*BA32.20-P-
1001-04F
 Bolts (77c) on fastening 
clamp (77b) *BA32.20-P-
1002-04F
77Torsion bar  
 Rubber mountCheck and if necessary replace 
NumberDesignationModel Series 163
BA32.20-P-1001-04FNut, link rod to torsion 
barNM21
BA32.20-P-1002-04FBolt, rubber mount / 
torsion bar to rear axle 
carrierNM28
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-2005 SUSPENSION Suspension - 163 Chassis  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:37:35 PMPage 12 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.