Jer309GTi 3 Posted June 11, 2006 I changed the strut top mount bearing on the n/s yesterday, and all went fine until I was putting it back together. I can't get the strut to sit all the way back into the hub. Its still got around 7-8mm to go in. I tried jacking up the suspension under the ball joint until the car came off the axle stand, that didnt help. I put the wheel back on and lowered it down and bounced on the wing to try and get it in but that didnt work. Anyone had this problem before? Its on an XS if it makes any difference. I know on a GTi there is a locator bit on the strut that goes down into the hub, but nothing on base model struts so thats not stopping it. It all came apart easy enough, bit of wd40 and a small lump hammer sorted it, so cant work out why it wont go the last little bit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
j_turnell 137 3 Cars Posted June 11, 2006 If you jack it up under the wishbone so it takes a lot of the weight then turn the hubs so you can hit the bottom with a hammer then it should go in. Or use a sump plug key in the slot at the back of the hub and turn it 45 degrees to open the hub. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest rick03054 Posted June 11, 2006 Opening the hub a bit gets my vote too. I used a 5/16 allen key on the gti, don't know about the xs though. Try to do it as straight on as possible aswell, trolley jacks tend to push out a bit as they raise and if the shock is at an angle to the hub it'll be a nightmare to get in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 245 3 Cars Posted June 12, 2006 Some of the base models I've seen haven't had the proper location key that are on the GTi struts but just a small bump on the strut body that fits into the same slot. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jer309GTi 3 Posted June 12, 2006 Thanks for all the advice, Ill give it another go. It won't do any harm driving it like it would it? All the bolts are done up tight, and the only thing I can see wrong is that the n/s will be a few mm higher than the o/s. Can't see this being a problem Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest smokinslim Posted June 13, 2006 As long as the strut isn't twisted round at all, otherwise you could end up with the spring contacting the turret walls at times when turning. The locating lug also ensures that the strut isn't turned round in the hub. With everything lined up correctly opening the hub just a fraction should allow the strut to drop into place under its own weight. I've found that the more compressed the spring is the easier it is to line everything up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
