chrisk Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 i have the bottom clamp bolt out and the 2 holding it to the clamp out and i cant get it to come out of the bottom, its been soaking with pb blaster on it for about 2 weeks now, i have pried and pryied on it and it wont break lose. any thing i am missing? any tricks or special ways to get them out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPaus_88TSi Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 I'm going to assume that you're talking about the rear struts. :wink: You need to spread the collar while prying. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/questmanual/RS-10.jpgSpread the collar by tapping a chisel into the gap.. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/questmanual/RS-11.jpgLike that. http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/questmanual/RS-12.jpgLeave the chisel in the gap, and pry here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starion0352 Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 you can also get that clamp to spead more by pounding the chisel in from the bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyW Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 When I replaced mine at 130k I had a hell of a time as well. Took 2 people, me with a pipe wrench twisting the strut and my brother prying up on the strut. Once thier our clean out the sleave real good and possibly shoot it with some paint so the next time you pull them out it will be cake work. Or an I the only one who takes apart my suspension annualy It seams? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MontyTSI Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 ive found the 5 ft pry bar is your friend on replaceing the Original struts. the ideas above are great as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldNBlack Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 Another good way is to unfasten the top of the strut, disconnect the sway bar so the suspension arm will drop easily then get the strut top out form the wheel well. Once you remove that extra side loading it is much easier to get out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88TSI_Rob Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I unbolted everything, jamed a chisel in the collar, and then stood on the brake rotor and hopped up and down a couple times. All you need is to loosen it enough to get a couple pry bars under the strut flange and your home free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desert_starion Posted November 26, 2006 Report Share Posted November 26, 2006 you guys might find it funny but I used the OEM lug nut wrench to spread the collar (has a chisel like end! I Didnt have a chisel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technology Posted November 26, 2006 Report Share Posted November 26, 2006 you guys might find it funny but I used the OEM lug nut wrench to spread the collar (has a chisel like end! I Didnt have a chisel!Not funny at all. I did the same thing. Worked pretty slick. Also, with the paint thing. If you have new shocks, they come painted, so there's your paint. New shocks make a world of difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPaus_88TSi Posted November 26, 2006 Report Share Posted November 26, 2006 Those are PQ's pictures.. I didn't use a chisel either. Just a couple flathead screwdrivers intot he bottom of the collar to get it opened a bit, and I actually used a jack handle to pop the strut out.. :wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikec Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 Those are PQ's pictures..PQ's pics - thought so! The purple gloves are a dead giveaway! haha. That joint is VERY tough. You have to spread that clamp apart more than you think. I have one of those big honkin Craftsman square-shank screwdrivers (it's more like a prybar with one end machined to look like an oversize screwdriver tip... it's bigger than any screw I've ever seen!) and I hammer that into the clamp a bit from below. I also tap the football shaped flange with a hammer to rotate the strut assembly inside the clamp - this helps break the rust bond. Then pry it upwards as the pics show. The strut+spring assembly is fairly heavy too; be ready for it. Don't let it swing around and smash into the bodywork. mike c. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPaus_88TSi Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 Those are PQ's pictures..PQ's pics - thought so! The purple gloves are a dead giveaway! haha. mike c. LOL! You'll never catch me with purple gloves! :wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mizzark15 Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 haha.. i thought i was the only one that used a pipe wrench to remove mine... thank god for pipe wrenches! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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