Rear strut, special washer.

[rob.043]

Im reassembling a rear strut and cant get the special washer to sit over the circlip propoerly. I presume the washer needs to be seated over the circlip, not just on the top of it? How do you get it on to the circlip?  I twisted the washer off the circlip in the grip of a pair of pliers, but initial attempts to refit in the same way has failed!

[rubjonny]

the groove around the base of it should sit on the circlip yeah, I'm not sure what you mean about having to twist it off? all of mine have just been sat loosely, just pops off no bother?

[rob.043]

ok. The washer I removed on disassembly was pressed/tight over the circlip, not loose on top, so I gripped the washer and gave it a pull and a twist to get it off. I was further confused by the new special washer I got from AVS, as it has groove inside, so I was thinking I needed to seat it down on the circlip, rather than sitting it on top...

Thinking about what the washer is there to do (push down on the criclip) sitting it on top should be sufficient. Does this all make sense?

[rubjonny]

ah do you mean the washer had been pushed down over the top of it and jammed there? if so thats not right. sounds liek the circlip may have worn a bit and over time the washer has pushed over the top of it from the weight of the car. best to replace the circlips they're only pence from vw. but yeah, when you drop the washers on the circlip just fits loosely into the groove at the bottom

[rob.043]

Cool, thats cleared up. I'll get fresh circlips. Thanks very much for the info, much appreciated!

[rubjonny]

part number for you:
8D0 512 097 - rear snap ring - 9p+VAT