Replacing front dampers struggling

[traindriver69]

Hi all
Trying to replace the front dampers on my mk2 scirocco but can't get them to budge.
Is there an easy way to unscrew them out and just to make sure they do unscrew anti clockwise.
Any help please.

[Nate]

is it the big nut that holds the insert in? make sure you got something that is a nice snug fit on it, not just a pair of pump pliers. it may well have some threadlock on it. if you can (carefully!) hold the other end in a vice it will help you. or if you can bolt something into the holes for bolting it onto the hub that you can then stand on to hold it

[traindriver69]

Had it in a vice and used some adjustable plumbers wrench but it does not want to budge.

[ianaudia4]

Try some heat on it.

[james butler]

i use one of these,
http://www.toolstop.co.uk/index.php?opt ... wgodangAzQ
if you dont want to buy one of these take the shockers off the car and get them down to a local garage and ask them to get it off for you.
they shouldnt ask more than £20 to take off and refit the spring on the new shock.

[traindriver69]

I have a compressor and windy gun but everything is off the car and apart just need to unscrew the damper off.

[go-for-it1]

If you are going to use the caps again you will have to get the right tool (C spanner or a big chain wrench) but if you have new ones just get some big stillsons on the top part with the cut outs. Dont use the full part which has the thread in as the stillys will crush it. Try tapping the cap round on the lugs with a hammer and parallel punch both tightening and untightening directions to free the thread before unscrewing. They are tight, and standing them upside down overnight with regular dosing of penetrating oil soaking into the threads beforehand helps. Be aware that holding the bottom end tight in the vice whilst turning the cap will compress the gap which slips over the hub mount and this stops them going back onto the car, so put something solid in the gap between the faces before tightening the vice.

[james butler]

at the risk of sounding stupid, how do inserts work?
i thought shock absorbers were welded units that couldnt be taken apart?
does the bit that bolts to the hub come off the shock absorber?

[ianaudia4]

On standard Sciroccos the front suspension are strut inserts. It is a case of undoing the cap on the top of the strut and changing the insert. I do remember a few years ago that some struts had welded caps and the whole strut needed replacing!

[mark1gls]

Like this...

[james butler]

Ahhhhh I never knew that!

[traindriver69]

it does not look like it has been welded is there any tell tale signs it has been done also does anyone know what size spanner will fit it as i am really struggling now.
i did try it again the otherday but it was starting to bend the top of the cap.

[mark1gls]

I used a very large pair of stiltions to get mine undone but the struts was still on the car when I losened them. You might get a new screw cap with your shock, I did as you can see it in the picture I posted, so if all else fails cut it off but watch out for the tread on the strut (Not ever done this and don't really know if it possible)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-HEAVY-DUTY ... 4d1675766f

[ianaudia4]

Have you tried heat, I had to use this method when the shocks were changed on my Scala!

[Tim_R]

I used a very large pair of stiltions to get mine undone but the struts was still on the car when I losened them. You might get a new screw cap with your shock, I did as you can see it in the picture I posted, so if all else fails cut it off but watch out for the tread on the strut (Not ever done this and don't really know if it possible)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-HEAVY-DUTY ... 4d1675766f

Agree with this, I've used exactly the same method on mine. Clamp the strut as tight as you can in a bench vice with a piece of wood between the strut to hub flanges. Soak the threads with Plusgas (It's WD40 that actually works) and with a helper holding the strut upright heave to undo.

If the new dampers are decent ones you should get new strut caps, clean up the threads and coat with a little anti seize grease.