removing front suspension strut?

[g8rvn]

The lower seat where the shock absorber assembly has almost seized itself together.
I have taken the bolt that clamps it together completely and given it a good hammering but theres no movement at all.
Is there anything I need to do that I have missed somewhere?

 

[m0rk]

it's a compression fit.

http://www.seat-ibiza-mk4.co.uk/ibiza_front_shock_absorber_change.htm

ideally you need the VW tool

 

[g8rvn]

Ah, thats the info I was looking for. Thanks mate

 

[tom167]

I just removed the hub from the car and hit it with a hammer, i'm not convinced there's enough space to remove the strut when its all on the car....

 

[m0rk]

I just removed the hub from the car and hit it with a hammer, i'm not convinced there's enough space to remove the strut when its all on the car....

There's plenty of room, just compress the springs.

beating an oil filled suspension until with a hammer - intelligent. certainly when you could just do the job with the right tools

 

[tom167]

I had no chance of getting my spring compressors in there lol.

Heaven forbid i damaged my standard shocks that i threw in the bin after fitting coilovers lol. Besides jus drives them out of the hub, not really a huge ammount of force involved jus a lot easier than fiddling around in a tight wheel arch imo

 

[R1ch85]

i just finished fitting my coilovers today there is plenty of room to remove the struts with the hub in place.

I used a hex bit as a hub spreader as I don't have one of the correct tools, did the job fine. Then with that in the gap I positioned a length of wood on the suspension arm and kept hitting it with a lump hammer til the hub dropped. Didn't need spring compressors til I had the strut out and had to remove the top mount. Not a particularly difficult job, just time consuming!