Remove front suspension strut

[phey708]

Hi,

I'm struggling to remove the front suspension strut from my car. I have taken out the bolt that attaches the strut to the wishbone, remove the droplink and taken out the 3 mount bolts within the engine bay but the strut will still not come out.

It seems to be seized where it sits in the wishbone and i have tried to wiggle the strut a bit but it is still not comming out What can i do to remove the strut from the wishbone? I've also soaked it in maintenance oil but this has not helped!

 

[FR_MATT]

Point 9-10 on this guide, there's a tool you need to spread the hub:

http://www.seat-ibiza-mk4.co.uk/ibiza_front_shock_absorber_change.htm

 

[RUM4MO]

You can get this tool from Laser Tools - check their website, Halfords will order it for you unless you can find it quicker. It's called a strut spreader tool (I think) and comes as two parts - one part for Fabia/Polo/Ibiza and one for A3/Golf and prob Leon/Otcavia and prob TT.

Its Laser Tools p/n 3396 STRUT NUT TOOL 2pc £10.70

 

[phey708]

Is there an alternative to using a hub spreader tool? Could it be prised open for example with a file or screwdriver while i remove the strut?

 

[Edward9th]

Not a file, PLEASE! They're brittle, and you'll lose an eye or something.

 

[phey708]

What about a chinsel? This should be able to prise it open enough?

 

[DEAN0]

Is there an alternative to using a hub spreader tool? Could it be prised open for example with a file or screwdriver while i remove the strut?

Use an allen key that the flats just fit in to the gap - then twist it till the points prise the hub appart.

 

[FR_MATT]

you could also grind down an old allen key to make the tool

 

[bald_eagle]

Use an allen key that the flats just fit in to the gap - then twist it till the points prise the hub appart.

8mm allen key is best if you have one,as said just file or grind the one side down until it fits then twist.
people have used a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter out of a socket set also with good results if your stuck.

 

[Martin_FR]

Even with the tool the drivers side is usual quite a struggle so your probably better off getting the right tool for the job.
Did it before with chisels etc before realising there was a tool and it was a nightmare

 

[RUM4MO]

I did the driver's side before buying this tool (broken spring had to be done right away), but using anything that I had lying around was a pain, as chisels are either too shallow or too "fast" and it just shoots back out when you are trying to get the strut out or in, tried modifying screwdriver bits but they were just the same as chisels or were too hard and snapped (cheap bits so that was why I was reshaping them). Using something like the proper tool makes this an easy job. The other thing to remember is, you don't want to open the hub part up too far or it will snap - now that will cost a bit!

 

[phey708]

Tried with chinsel and other tools i had around but this did not work as it wouldn't open the hub enough, and if the chinsel was too far up the hub then it almost got stuck which was scary!

I guess i am going to get the hub spreader tool which is a lot safer i think.

 

[Edward9th]

I like deano's idea of the allen key, which would give a controlled amount of opening, and wouldn't get stuck.

 

[vroomtshh]

Also, leave the three top mount bolts in until u have the bottom free. Then you can force the wishbone down while the strut remains in position

 

[RUM4MO]

Tried with chinsel and other tools i had around but this did not work as it wouldn't open the hub enough, and if the chinsel was too far up the hub then it almost got stuck which was scary!

I guess i am going to get the hub spreader tool which is a lot safer i think.

The other good reason for buying that tool is, when you have moved up to Leon/Golf/TT, you can use it again - brilliant reason eh? Actually, on the Laser website, the description has been altered to include a few more (non VAG) cars - so maybe this tool could earn its keep!

 

[Sturtz1987]

bit of a long shot as this is an old post, do any of yous happen to know what size the spline for strut to hub pinch bolt?

 

[cheshire cat]

8mm allen key is best if you have one,as said just file or grind the one side down until it fits then twist.
people have used a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter out of a socket set also with good results if your stuck.

or better still a piece of 10mm allen key

 

[Sturtz1987]

i just ordered laser 3396 tool off ebay for just shy of a tenner, thought for the price of it defo worth just getting and sticking in tool box when done. Found out the hub to strut is M14 spline so ordered a set of impact ones. Do you know if the top damper bolt is just a 22mm socket or is it this funny bolt that needs the funny tool with 2 prongs to go in the slots?

 

[RUM4MO]

No funny stuff at the top, I seem to remember just using a spark plug deep socket that had a hex head on it as well as a 1/2" square drive hole, and used a socket bit to stop the rod turning.

What I did find when I needed to buy tools was, the "standard" spine kits stopped at M12, so an extra M14 had to be bought from ebay somewhere, so don't assume a standard set includes M14.

Edit:- so far I've never come across the need to buy that two pronged thing that you are talking about, there is still a space in my toolkit for it if and when I need it!

Edit Edit:- that strut splitter/open outer tool is brilliant, don't underestimate its worth, even with it, I need to open up the strut with that tool, spray on some more release oil, then wait maybe over night until I could whack it and it came free.

I'd never ever use WD-40 as a release agent, it just soaks everything, if you then apply a good release oil, it will just run off where as if you apply a good release agent first, it gets soaked into the rusted up "joint" and so can do its job properly!

 

[Sturtz1987]

Yeah i noticed that my set only went up to M12, just ordered a set of heavy duty ones from amazon prime.

Ive usually managed to blast the top bolts of with my buzz gun, was just as i started to look at vag tools i seen the funny shaped nut.

My mate used to get stuff called "tri-flo" from his work. It smells like pear drops was great but also pretty handy at getting stuck stuff un-stuck lol.