Shocking

[benjam_in]

My front near side shock has gone, i need a special tool to change the insert don't i? MK2 gti btw

[Gambit]

u'll need to replace both

just buy new complete sealed unit shocks and get rid of the inserts

bout ?10 dearer & a lot less hassle

[richandhazel]

My front near side shock has gone, i need a special tool to change the insert don't i? MK2 gti btw

I've always managed to get the cap off without the use of a special tool. Occasionally I've had to carefully angle grind it off but the replacement insert should come with a replacement cap anyway.

[modulater]

All you need is a set of mc'pherson strut peg sockets which are available in halfords and A way of getting the top of the strut off to get at the insert.

I've always used a big pair of stilsons to get the caps off. whilst holding the stut in a vice.

[benjam_in]

i ve got the mac phearson strut tool so the top mounts come off easily, but what is "a big pair of stilsons"??

[golfvr6]

A big pipe wrench. The best way to do it is jack the car up slightly, grip the cap and turn it just to loosen it off, go easy though as the car will be on a jack. After the cap has moved slighty then re-tighten it again. You can buy the special tool but its just as easy to use the pipe wrench.

[modulater]

Sorry I should have said, stilsons are what plumbers and airline fitters use to fit round pipes, they get tighter the more you use force on them, I have found them ideal for getting the top caps of the struts as anything else normally slips off.

When putting the new inserts in the struts use a little antifreeze or fresh oil as it helps to stop them rattling inside and dissipates the heat.

[benjam_in]

Cheers budd think i have a set of those somewhere in me tool box?!? I hate MOTs!