[s-cars] strut/shock install

[calvinlc at earthlink.net]

Steve Eiche taught me a neat trick with the Bilsteins, you can use a bicycle
sprocket remover tool like shown here:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/var/pages/var0030.html  #252.

The end tab fits perfectly into the slot if you get the right sized one and
it is nice and thin to fit between the coils on the coil spring.

--Calvin


-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Robert Rossato
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 4:30 PM
To: 'Wylie Bean'; s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [s-cars] strut/shock install


The front shocks/strut inserts can be changed out without removal of the
strut assembly.  You remove the top strut mount/camber plate and reach
down over the piston with Audi tool # 2069 that picks up on the internal
hex in the stock cap for the strut insert.  Once you've removed the cap
you can lift out the strut insert.  The Type 44 was similar I believe.

This assumes you're still running the stock shocks, or maybe aftermarket
Boge that still use the same style cap.  Bilstein's have their own style
cap which the Audi tool will not work with.  Don't know what Koni's
have.

If the cap you have does not have the internal hex then you'll have to
resort to reaching between the coils on a fully extended suspension
(you'll need to pull the dust boot off the bottom) and remove the cap
using a pipe wrench.  It's a tight fit, but doable.

For the Bilsteins you could use the pipe wrench trick or fabricate your
own 2069 tool using some tool steel sized to fit the slots on the cap
and welding them to a pipe.  Close off the top of the pipe and weld a
large nut to put a socket/wrench on.  You might also be able to slide
the Bilstein tool that comes with the inserts over the piston (after
removing the strut mount of course) and attaching a suitable 1/2" drive
ratchet or breaker bar.  If you can keep it square, it might work.  I
would think the pipe wrench would be easier.

If you are not changing springs or the strut bearing, it's a great time
savings.  But given that you mentioned wanting to replace the strut
bearing, then you are correct, you'll need to remove the whole shebang.
The bearing is not part of the top strut mount/camber plate.  It is
mounted between the top spring plate and the bearing plate, and that is
all on the underside of the strut tower.

Bob

> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
> [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Wylie Bean
> Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 5:36 PM
> To: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Subject: [s-cars] strut/shock install
>
>
> ...call me an idiot, but I hate searching the archives with
> the google
> search function on audifans.com.  I can never find what I
> need, even though
> I know it's probably there somewhere.  With that in mind,
> please excuse this
> if it's been hashed over 20 times..
>
> I'm looking for input about changing the struts/shocks with
> the assembly on
> the car.  I was told that it could be done, but not really
> told any more
> than that.  If it's possible, would someone mind shedding
> some light on the
> basics of the procedure?  Off-list is fine thanks.   Is it
> that much of a
> work/time savings?  I would assume, although I haven't looked
> into it very
> closely, that in order to do the upper strut mount/bearing
> that the whole
> shabang has to come out, right?
>
> Thanks
> Wylie Bean
> TheRingmeister at triad.rr.com
> 90 Cq
> 92 urS4
> 01 allroad quattro

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