RE: Installing front struts...

[Peter Tracy <pgt@novelmail.keps.com>]

It is possible to change the shocks on these cars without removing the   
struts. The old ones come out the top. The only hard parts are removing   
the cap on the top of the strut which holds the shock in. On one of mine,   
I tried sticking a large pipe wrench through the springs but it wouldn't   
budge, so I opted for an air chisel which pushed it off readily. The   
second slightly hard part was getting the hole in the top of the strut   
tower lined up with the strut so I could stick the shock back in because   
the top of the strut is not really being located by anything at that   
point. Maybe lifting the car a little as someone suggested would help   
with that. The only problem with replacing the shocks with this method is   
that I don't think you can change the strut bearings which might need   
replacement if the car has lots of miles.

Peter

PS This was all on a 1990 200 FWD. YMMV.



 ----------
From:  quattro-owner[SMTP:quattro-owner@coimbra.ans.net]
Sent:  Tuesday, December 12, 1995 6:45 PM
To:  quattro
Subject:  Installing front struts...

I'd like to get a some opinions on 2 procedures for replacing front strut
inserts on an 87 5kcsTQ.

1) The "manuals" describe the replacement by first removing the entire   
strut.
Then r & r the insert and replace.

2) I've received procedures from 2 list members describing strut   
cartridge
withdrawl and replacement from the strut housing, while the vehicle is on   
the
ground, without removing the entire strut assembly.

The second method seems tooooo easy, what's the catch? A mechanic friend
(U.S. cars) claims that without removing the entire strut, the cartridge   
may
not be installed correctly, cause it should be "pressed in".

This will be my first shot at this, and I want to do it without finding   
out
things the hard way. Any opinions on the "right" way?

Thanks,
Mike Aiello