Front strut question

U

Uzzer123

Member
Hello,
Im trying to remove the front passengers side strut on my A2 but I’ve gotten to the part where I have taken out the Pinch bolt from the back at the bottom of the strut but I’ve tried to separate it so it will move but I am having no luck.
Have you got any advice/tips thank you
 
Uzzer123 said:
Hello,
Im trying to remove the front passengers side strut on my A2 but I’ve gotten to the part where I have taken out the Pinch bolt from the back at the bottom of the strut but I’ve tried to separate it so it will move but I am having no luck.
Have you got any advice/tips thank you
Click to expand...

The only way I separated my hub from the strut was with a big hammer, it didn’t want to part company


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Jayw13702 said:
The only way I separated my hub from the strut was with a big hammer, it didn’t want to part company


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Thank you for the reply where about did you hammer and did you have something in the back to separate it or just hammer it?
Thank you
 
Uzzer123 said:
Thank you for the reply where about did you hammer and did you have something in the back to separate it or just hammer it?
Thank you
Click to expand...

I undid the bracket that holds the brake hose in place, moved the abs wire out of the way and hit it where I have circled

77fc3aa891ee85363a702f0e0999136e.jpg


The hub is quite thick at that point and will take a good strike, some penetrating oil put in there beforehand may help, once you have broken the seal it will move, I just hammered, I didn’t used anything else


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Jayw13702 said:
I undid the bracket that holds the brake hose in place, moved the abs wire out of the way and hit it where I have circled

77fc3aa891ee85363a702f0e0999136e.jpg


The hub is quite thick at that point and will take a good strike, some penetrating oil put in there beforehand may help, once you have broken the seal it will move, I just hammered, I didn’t used anything else


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Brilliant thank you will let you know how it goes.
 
What you need to do is try and prize the clamp open, I used a slim crow bar in the gap once the pinch bolt was removed. It was just enough to release the strut.
There is a special VW tool to open the clamp as well.

Ian
 
Kleynie said:
What you need to do is try and prize the clamp open, I used a slim crow bar in the gap once the pinch bolt was removed. It was just enough to release the strut.
There is a special VW tool to open the clamp as well.

Ian
Click to expand...

thank you for the reply Ian, I’ve tried to prize the clamp open but with no luck it moves a slight amount and that’s about it thank you
 
You won't be able to 'open' the clamp, it needs a wedge to be inserted as Ian suggested to release the pressure on the strut whilst you persuade it to come loose using a hammer.
Penetrating fluid helps to break the joint, when tapping it free do it from both the front and rear otherwise it could get jammed.
 
Yes, I used the crow bar as a wedge, sorry I was not clear in the first post. I have one of these:

1612447342209.png
and the hook end acts as a wedge

I assume you still have the top of the strut secured? Also, have the steering on full lock for better access. It will go after a few good hits with an FGH

Ian
 
There is a special tool to split the pinch bolt area. You bang it into the slot and then turn is through 90 degrees
image.jpg
 
yes, thats the one I was referring to earlier. But for the one off home mechanic its not really required IMO.

Ian
 
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