[Vwdiesel] Strut bearing R&R

[James Hansen]

There's no school like the old school.
;-)
-james

Tony and Lillie wrote:
> Interestingly enough, the old school mechanic that trained me taught me 
> the same method 15 years ago. I'm just anal about it, plus I usually do 
> a bunch of front end replacement parts at the same time.
> 
> But, it does work of you are careful. He had showed me to look at the 
> line where the dirt ends on the knuckle/strut assembly point. And also 
> mark the eccentric bolt on the top.
> 
> Tony Hoffman
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "James Hansen" <jhsg at sasktel.net>
> To: <audi-vw-diesels at yahoogroups.com>; "diesel list" <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 11:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Strut bearing R&R
> 
> 
>> Actually, if the alignment was good before, you can get pretty dead on
>> by cleaning the strut assembly at the bottom where it attaches to the
>> hub assy. (where the two bolts go in where it comes apart) at the
>> bottom, and spraying on fresh light colored paint- white for instance.
>> You can put it back together exactly like it was then.  I've done this a
>> couple times and when checking the alignment after, was spot on.  It
>> works, with the usual disclaimer,YMMV.
>>
>> Easiest way to get tie rods out if you have to do so is to use two
>> hammers, hit the metal they go into on either side at exactly the same
>> time.  the hammers don't even have to be very big- the shock pops the
>> tapered end out of the hole. I detest pullers, they usually break more
>> than they save, especially the pickle forks. The tapered bolt pulls in
>> pretty hard even without road salt, and the hammer trick never fails.
>> One tip is to NEVER hit the threaded end of the bolt, or it turns to
>> junk. If you have a big chunk of brass or better UHMW polyurethane round
>> stock or a lead hammer to use as a big driver on threaded stuff.
>> -james
>>
>> Tony and Lillie wrote:
>>> Just did the front struts on the Jetta, pretty easy really. Start 
>>> with the
>>> wheels on the ground. Loosen the lug bolts and the CV nut first. 
>>> Then, put
>>> it in the air and pull the wheel.
>>>
>>> At this point there are two ways to go. One requires alignment, but 
>>> is much
>>> simpler. The other is a bit more work. I always have an alignment done
>>> afterwards, so I do it the simpler way. Just my .02
>>>
>>>
>>> Way # 1: (Simpler) Pull the two bolts that hole the steering knuckle 
>>> to the
>>> strut assy. Remove the brake line from it's holder on the strut.
>>>
>>>
>>> Way # 2: Pull the ball joint through bolt. It is a 17mm bolt and nut. 
>>> Then,
>>> pull the tie rod end out. A tie rod puller is the easiest way to do 
>>> this.
>>> Pull the CV nut off and remove the Brake caliper from it's bracket. 
>>> Pry down
>>> on the lower control arm to pop it out of the lower housing.
>>>
>>> (Both ways - finish the job) Pull the two 13mm nuts off the top, and 
>>> out it
>>> comes. Then, with a spring compressor in place, remove the 7/8" nut 
>>> at the
>>> top, and swap out the strut bearing. Reassembly is the reverse of 
>>> removal.
>>>
>>> For this job, I usually have to use some heat to make a few things 
>>> easier. I
>>> just use a simple propane torch.
>>>
>>> Hope this helps,
>>> Tony Hoffman
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- Subject: [Vwdiesel] Strut bearing R&R
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hello all-
>>>>
>>>> I need to replace one of the strut bearings on the
>>>> Cabriolet.
>>>>
>>>> Anyone have any hints, tips, or tricks to make it a
>>>> smoother job?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>>
>>>> David
>>>
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>>>
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> 
>