Was:Removing rear struts in Typ 89, now: removing the bearing

[Radek]

Thanks for your help guys.
I bought a set of box end wrenches and the whole strut is now in my
basement.
Now I'm facing a new problem:  in this design, the bearing is held within
the housing by two large circlips, one on the outside, one on the inside.
They sit in a grove machined into the housing.  Before I can press out the
bearing, I have to remove one of the circlips.  Needless to say, after
fifteen or so years on the road the circlips have partly rusted out and what
remains is held by rust  inside the grove so tight, no amount of penetrating
oil, heat and tapping can get them out.  They are virtually welded with
rust. Would anyone know of some magic liquid in which I could soak the whole
assembly overnight, that would dissolve the rust and free the circlips?  I
need something that will actually dissolve the rust and leave bare metal.
Any ideas?
Thanks.

Radek
88 90Q
91 V8Q 5-sp.

>
> If you can get an impact gun on it it will spin it off without holding the
> shock.  Otherwise you can just use a wrench and allen key.
>
> Dave K.
> '90 CQ
>
>
> I have found the best way to get them out is to remove the rear seat and
the
> rear carpeting and go in from the top.  I used an offset box end wrench
and
> an allen key to get them off.  HTH
>
> -Mike
> Audi 90 quattro 253,000 mi
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <radek at istar.ca>
> To: <quattro at audifans.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 2:32 PM
> Subject: Removing rear struts in Typ 89
>
>
> > Hello fellow AudiFans.
> >
> > It's bearing replacement time - lr wheel.  For this, I need to remove
the
> whole strut (I
> > have an early 1988
> > model with the bearing housing and strut welded together).  Space in the
> trunk is tight,
> > it looks like I need
> > a 7 mm Allen key to hold the shock absorber  steady and a socket to undo
> the bolt.
> > Bentley shows tool 3078 which looks like a long socket open on one side
> and VW 524 - a
> > "two pin spanner".
> > Would anyone know any tricks?  I'm thinking of grinding a socket on two
> sides to grasp it
> > with Vise Grips,
> > so the Allen key can go through the top opening.
> > Any ideas?
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Radek
> > 88 90Q
> > 91 V8Q 5-sp.
> Radek,