[Vwdiesel] Re: struts and strut bearings

[greg rich]

Hi Nate
A few things I have learned-
the newer strut mounts from the VR6 A3 cars last much longer and have less
play. They do not use the silly special nut that the older ones did, making
replacement easier.

KYB shocks freeze up below 0 F and are horribly stiff!

Coils do were out, usually after 100k miles or 10 years you will notice a
big difference with new coils-I am not talking sagging, just spring
action/rebound.

I would upgrade the strut mounts are the very least, it would cost around
$50-new rubbers, bearings, spring plates and nuts.
I would also go with VR6 Boge turbo gas, bigger piston diameter and a good
quality shick for the money (around $50 each).
You can buy new VR6 coils for around $50 each from VW, may well be worth it
BUT the car might sit too high up front, I have yet to play with this (I
upgraded my 94 CDN Golf turbo diesel, no problems)

Some of the prices you were quoted sound really high, the A2 strut mounts
are now only $15-20 CDN around here!!! ($10-15 USD)

If you buy everything new (struts, coils, mounts) you can have them fully
asssembled by a shop with the compressor and then install them yourself
(takes 15 minutes each side-use new camber bolts)

Greg

  Message: 12
  Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2003 05:45:08 -0800 (PST)
  From: Nate Wall <natewall1 at yahoo.com>
  To: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
  Cc: Audi-VW-Diesels at yahoogroups.com
  Subject: [Vwdiesel] Struts and Strut Bearings

  Its time to replace the struts and strut top bearings
  in the '85 Jetta TD. Upon hitting bumps in the road,
  even small ones, the struts bang and clunk a lot. The
  ride is also extremely stiff and hard. I have a
  lifetime warranty at NTB on these, but I bet they will
  not want to honor it, like the last time. Its also
  time for the Jetta's annual safety inspection and I
  think I will ask the inspector to closely inspect the
  struts, and if he rejects the car on that basis, that
  should give me some leverage with NTB. Questions:

  1. Who here replaces their struts and bearings
  themselves? Is it worth it? I'd have to buy or rent a
  spring compressor and get the special strut sockets
  that are needed.

  2.  What is a good brand of strut cartridge insert and
  strut bearing? A couple times before I had the strut
  bearings replaced only to begin knocking immediately
  upon going over bumps. Last time, the lasted in excess
  of 80 K miles before making any noise. Its kind of hit
  or miss.

  3. Should the coil springs be replaced? (do they get
  weak?) I think the Parts Place has complete strut
  assemblies w/ new springs already assembled. Any
  thoughts about buying these and changing them out
  myself?

  Thanks

  --Nate










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