Struts from hell

[sjagernauth@attmail.com (Stephen I Jagernauth)]

I've been changing the struts/shocks on the 5KT since Thanksgiving.  Longest 
job in the history of backyard wrenching.  First, the @#$%^&* brake carrier 
bolts were solidly rusted in place and no amount of lube and heat would coax 
them loose.  No room to drill.   I have my own air tools and I have 
access to a lift at a friend's gas station.  Escalated to heating with a 
welding torch at the gas station to no avail.  Two weeks ago, finally gave up 
and had the mechanic have a go at it.  2 1/2 hrs later after using an air 
hammer and much swearing, he got it out.  

Spent all day Saturday at the gas station trying to get the struts out.  
Removed calipers and loosened ball-joint but the ball-joint would not come 
out.  Loosened sway-bar and lower control arm to reduce load on ball-joint, no
go.  Used transmission jack to support the weight of the strut with car on 
lift, better but can't clear the extra 1/2" needed to pop the ball-joint out. 
 Put car back together, drive home in misery.  Explain to wife car not fixed 
but I did get new muffler installed.

Haynes just says 'pry the ball-joint loose" showing a picture so no special 
tools needed.  Only thing I did not try was compressing the springs on the 
car?  Is this the trick?  BTW, I'm replacing oil-filled original struts with 
Boge Turbo Gas, also replacing the strut bearings, bump stops and boots so not
practical to do this on the car.

Help! Audi gurus, I'm at a loss.  (I know, just break down and take the car to
a real mechanic.)


____________________________________________________________________________ 
Steve Jagernauth	               	'87 951 Pearl Black 
AT&T BCS			  	'87 Audi 5K CST 
Bridgewater, NJ 
sjagernauth@attmail.com