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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Martz on 03 March 2009, 16:50

Title: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Martz on 03 March 2009, 16:50
Hi

I have just replaced the rear suspension on my 8v (project Ghetto) and have done so with ease, well chuffed with myself! Anyway, the front one is being a little fooker! Just referred to my haynes manual and I need a special tool, anyone know a way round this?

Appreciated!

Martz :cool:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: oakgreengolf on 03 March 2009, 17:11
top nut can be a b!tch if you have not got the right spanner although this will do the job http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=290290954192.

The rest is fairly straight forward  :smiley:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: xcore on 03 March 2009, 17:35
even some swan neck spanners dont fit, i used some molegrips on a socket with the allan through the middle
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Dan34 on 03 March 2009, 17:43
even some swan neck spanners dont fit, i used some molegrips on a socket with the allan through the middle

Yeah i did the same as that seemed to work  :smiley:

Dan
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 03 March 2009, 17:57
Trust me I KNOW how you feel.  I managed replace the rears on my Valver, no pobs.  Came to do the fronts and after chanting the tried and tested..'By the power of grayskull!!!'  I managed to loosed the lower strut bolts.

By by God...not even Garth himself could undo the top mount bolt.

Younger viewers go here...http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/g/garth.htm

I fashioned a long alan key that fed through a long socket which was held by mole gripps.  But no matter how hard I tried It would not budge without slippiing.  Do I invest in the VW 'special tool'. Probably not,  I'll go down to my mate garage and get the Bxxtard of with the air gun.

Hurrah!!
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Steve_B on 03 March 2009, 18:44
Spark plug socket (13/16") was ideal for this, with 7mm allen key. As only the short part of the allen key sitcks out, I used the lever from my trolley jack as an extension on the allen key. It takes a while but  works.
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Dolly on 03 March 2009, 22:12
air impact gun or my trusty 18v snapon impact gun.

where in the world are you, ill happily help if your in the region of the westmidlands.
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: DarnPB on 03 March 2009, 22:37
I can't remember the size of the large nut at the top. 22mm possibly? :undecided:
But you could fit a socket over the top of it and grip it with a large pair of mole grips, then turn the 7mm allen headed thread with an allen key.
I have the correct tool for the job but I don't live near you.
If you are going to bin the strut, then you can drill the allen headed thread part out of the nut and remove it that way. Butchery, yes, but it does the job and you will need a new nut. The threaded part is very soft metal, so it's easy to drill and also easy to round off if the allen key you use has passed it's sell by date. :wink:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Rodriguez on 04 March 2009, 09:16
I've gotta do mine soon and I hadn't given it a second thought!  I've always used an impact gun.  Life was SO much easier when I worked in a garage.  Damn credit crunch :cry: :cry:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Diamond Hell on 04 March 2009, 11:10
I've gotta do mine soon and I hadn't given it a second thought!  I've always used an impact gun.  Life was SO much easier when I worked in a garage.  Damn credit crunch :cry: :cry:

If you're lacking facilities and you're not too far from Bristol give me a shout when you want to do your struts - we have airlines and we're not afraid to use them (except after 10PM as it gets the neighbour's backs up).
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Rodriguez on 04 March 2009, 15:25
 :wink:  Cheers DH.  I'll bear it mind.  Your only a quick blast down the M5 and it'll halve the time with proper kit. 
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: daniel-1986 on 04 March 2009, 19:10
i borrowed an impact gun to get mine off
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: richard s on 04 March 2009, 20:36
i welded a nut on a socket and slid allen key through nut and used a spanner on the nut and then as i didnt have the tool for the top mount i used a screwdriver and a hammer
pikey as fcuk but worked a treat
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Dinky on 04 March 2009, 20:48
even some swan neck spanners dont fit, i used some molegrips on a socket with the allan through the middle

Yeah i did the same as that seemed to work  :smiley:

Dan
Even I've done the job with a spanner and key Martz...
although, ratchet spanners ftw :wink:

Dinx :kiss:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Dan34 on 04 March 2009, 21:17
i wish i had some rachet spanners the ammount of times they would have been handy is unreal!

Dan
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: JC on 04 March 2009, 21:23
i can get the front struts off in 20 minutes, and thats from the car sat on 4 wheels.

Best tool for the job, Cordless 24v Impact Gun :afro:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Dinky on 04 March 2009, 21:36
i wish i had some rachet spanners the ammount of times they would have been handy is unreal!

Dan
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_216036_langId_-1_categoryId_165572?jspStoreDir=HalfordsConsumerDirect&mpe_id=64865&cm_cr=No+Campaign-_-Web+Activity-_-07-0209-workshop-r2-_-PRODCAT_ESPOTRIGHT_165532-_-07-0209-workshop-r2&catalogId=10151&evtype=CpgnClick&intv_id=111507&langId=-1&storeId=10001&ddkey=ClickInfo
Does the job..

How do you drop it down when on all four wheels?

Dinx :kiss:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: JC on 04 March 2009, 21:41
no, starting with it on 4 wheels  :tongue:

 :kiss:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Dinky on 04 March 2009, 21:42
oh....heres me thinking you had rubber struts that bend under wings and stuff :tongue: :grin:

Dinx :kiss:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Dan34 on 04 March 2009, 21:43
i can get the front struts off in 20 minutes, and thats from the car sat on 4 wheels.

Best tool for the job, Cordless 24v Impact Gun :afro:

what one do you own? im tempted to buy one, along with ratchet spanners

Dan
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: JC on 04 March 2009, 21:46
very similar to

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/24v-CORDLESS-IMPACT-DRIVER-WRENCH-POWER-TOOL-2-BATTERY_W0QQitemZ400033357207QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM?hash=item400033357207&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

 :wink:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Dan34 on 04 March 2009, 21:47
very similar to

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/24v-CORDLESS-IMPACT-DRIVER-WRENCH-POWER-TOOL-2-BATTERY_W0QQitemZ400033357207QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM?hash=item400033357207&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

 :wink:

Cheers, now im even more tempted ive got to stop spending money lol

Dan
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: JC on 04 March 2009, 21:50
make sure its a 24v one and its got 2 batteries  :cool:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Dan34 on 04 March 2009, 21:58
make sure its a 24v one and its got 2 batteries  :cool:

yeah definetly and that one comes with some sockets too cant go wrong with that one i guess

Dan
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: JC on 04 March 2009, 22:01
mine is similar to that model, do some research, bargains to be had at the mo  :wink:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Dan34 on 04 March 2009, 22:08
mine is similar to that model, do some research, bargains to be had at the mo  :wink:

yep gonna have a look about hopefully find a bargain i reckon im gonna need one of these in the summer i forsee my car needing many things done to it ....

Dan
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Martz on 05 March 2009, 18:56
very similar to

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/24v-CORDLESS-IMPACT-DRIVER-WRENCH-POWER-TOOL-2-BATTERY_W0QQitemZ400033357207QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM?hash=item400033357207&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

 :wink:


Cheers Chuff, I liked this product so much I bought it! :wink:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Diamond Hell on 05 March 2009, 23:48
Be careful what you go at with a 24V impact gun - if you're not you'll enter into a sheared-bolt-a-thon around your car.  I have guns, but rarely use them as there's no 'feel' for when you're about to round out that hex head, or snap a bolt because it's gone tight on the threads.  Often all that's needed to avoid trashing something like that is to back off half a turn and squirt some lube at it.  With an impact gun you don't get that warning, you just get a sheared bolt.

Oh and there's always the chance if you're using an impact gun you might do this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV8yfpKUnmg)
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 06 March 2009, 00:05
I bought a 24v impact gun at christmas. Its ok, but there's no way it produces the torque it claims....
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: sidecarphil on 06 March 2009, 08:58
i use a snap on 18V impact gun and it will undo hub nutsat about 450NM

i have never snapped a bolt or nut off

and as for no feel i think that is twoddle , if i buzz a wheel nut up with the gun then check it wiith a torque wrench it is about a quarter turn off the setting

BUT i am a professional mechanic and use this daily  :wink: :wink:

love my impact gun , is the best buy EVER :grin: :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Ben Lessani on 06 March 2009, 09:02
Oh and there's always the chance if you're using an impact gun you might do this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV8yfpKUnmg)

Lmao!

But gotta say, I've never done any damage with a buzzgun either, I've rounded more heads levering spanners/sockets and slipped than using an impact gun.

...theres also this thread for information (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=108038.0)
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: Dolly on 06 March 2009, 20:06
im a mechanic and you cant beat the 18v snap on impact gun. but be prepared to pay for it.
Title: Re: Front Suspension Removal
Post by: danny_p on 06 March 2009, 21:15
18v makita here,     or have 1/2 and  3/4 drive  teng jobbies  :evil:    the 3/4 has broken stuff