Hi

As per my other post (above/below?) I have a broken front coil spring.

Haynes say I have to partly dismantle the lower arm & take the damper out of the hub to change the spring but I thought I read on here that you can do it just by disconnecting the top mount.

I searched but I can't find that post. Was I mistaken?

I want to find out before I start the job because I'm wondering whether to replace the dampers at the same time. If I have to remove the dampers anyway, I might just buy some replacements before I start the job. If I don't have to remove the dampers I'll probably leave the originals in.

Cheers

Darren

The front dampers have to come off to change the spring.

I know on the back you can jack it up and release them but the front cannot be done this way.

The bottom of the damper is usually held by a 'pinch clamp' arrangement on the hub housing. if you release the clamp you might be able to lower the housing enough to get the damper out.

Hi

As per my other post (above/below?) I have a broken front coil spring.

Haynes say I have to partly dismantle the lower arm & take the damper out of the hub to change the spring but I thought I read on here that you can do it just by disconnecting the top mount.

I searched but I can't find that post. Was I mistaken?

I want to find out before I start the job because I'm wondering whether to replace the dampers at the same time. If I have to remove the dampers anyway, I might just buy some replacements before I start the job. If I don't have to remove the dampers I'll probably leave the originals in.

Cheers

Darren

You don't have to dismantle the lower arm to take off the strut, if you have coil spring compressors you can compress the spring and then undo the top mount and the hub to strut pinch bolt(as mentioned). You will need a bar or large screwdriver or the vw tool to spread apart the hub to allow the struct to come out of the hub easy. Remember to remove the anti roll bar link from the strut. Then remove the struct asm from the car.

i found when i did mine that the n/s/f (passenger side) came out with no problems,i just undid the pinch bolt & top mounting nut on the damper & spring assemblythen pressed down on the hub & it came out,however on the o/s/f(drivers side) i had to separate the ball joint from the hub assembly & remove the driveshaft out of the hub just to be able to get the damper assembly out of the hub,this is due to the o/s/f driveshaft been thicker than the n/s/f & when you press down on the hub to realease the damper the driveshaft hits the bottom arm & wont let the hub come down far enough to release the damper assembly.

I take the bottom arms off first - only 2 bolts (plus the 3) and makes it much easier as a single handed job.

i found when i did mine that the n/s/f (passenger side) came out with no problems,i just undid the pinch bolt & top mounting nut on the damper & spring assemblythen pressed down on the hub & it came out,however on the o/s/f(drivers side) i had to separate the ball joint from the hub assembly & remove the driveshaft out of the hub just to be able to get the damper assembly out of the hub,this is due to the o/s/f driveshaft been thicker than the n/s/f & when you press down on the hub to realease the damper the driveshaft hits the bottom arm & wont let the hub come down far enough to release the damper assembly.

 

Have a bit of a problem on mine drivers side also.

WIth spring compressors and top mount is loosened off and in theory has plenty of space to come out now.

 

With 1/4" convertor in split hub no problem, its moving side to side however can't see for the life of me to get it to wiggle out the hub.

It seems because its a funny angle or something, but lift it up but the hub just won't drop without taking the strut with it.

 

Tried jacking up the strut with a block of wood but the hub is going with it. Any ideas ??? Is the 1/4" adapter too small ?

 

I haven't removed the track end, partly as it seems to move smoothly until it gets to the end and seems to be seizing up so can't get the nut off

I will also pay in beer or money if someone locally wants to help me this weekend !

Edited 21 October, 20169 yr by vRSAnt