Front strut mount mark 2 Jetta

[Patrick]

Anyone know if there's enough room to change the strut mount without undoing the bottom of the strut? Will the swing arm come down far enough (with the sway bar undone) to get the top end of the strut out from under the fender? I know it's not the right way but........it would save messing up the alignment............

[Hammy]

In short the answer is NO! Sorry, Pat, and I know from experience what you would like to achieve. But pulling the strut out should not effect alignment, if you separate the strut with the hub/wheelbrg assembly intact. Split it at the ball joint, outer tie rod end, and pull the axle nut, then pull the strut bearing nut and remove the whole assembly as one. That's the way I have done them in the past.


 Best of luck Patrick, and keep us posted.
 

[Patrick]

THought of that too, but then you're into the 1/2 shaft, and the brakes. Guess we'll see what happens. Had a Mk one apart several times, always just pulled the strut and "best guessed" it back together. Have to see what happens........ :roll:

[Patrick]

Put the car up in the air, took a reading off the disc with a magnetic 360 degree level, puleed it apart, put it back together with the same reading on the level. Piece of cake!

Learning experience: Only ever had mk1 stuff apart before. Strut bolts to fender, centre nut takes strut apart. Mk2, centre nut takes strut out of car, oddball nut farther in takes strut apart! Need to get THAT tool for the next one! Got the job done, but shouldn't have tackled it without the right tool!

[Centurion]

Thanks - forgot how they came apart - did MK1's alot - I was changing springs and such on a regular basis - but need to fix a Mk2 with two broken springs!

Not fun! - Cheers - C

[Patrick]

The strut mount was so bad I pulled it off, used heat and vice grips to spin the oddball nut off. Like I said, need to get the right tool for next time!