stevenmurray

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/37382/struthitscvjointrotated.jpg"></center><p>The joint pulls out of the strut quite a bit but collides preventing removal of the strut.

I guess if I remove the rubber boot I might get the clearance. Anybody have a good idea?

THis probably confirms that the strut is bent.

BTW: The top strut tower nut w/7mm hex came out easily.

steve

RootMachine

I ended up cutting it in half between the strut housing and hub. good luck with that one.

stevenmurray

who makes a good tool for cutting that boot clamp? (&amp; hose clamps)

gmbchef

and put the whole thing in a vise and try to bend it enough to pull out the stub axle from the housing?

stevenmurray

I was going to take these parts to some good urq shop (bruno? quattromotion, autofirme?) anyway as I need the hub, spring transfered to my new but used CALIFORNIA strut. Plus they can inspect my new used part to see that it's not defective in some way. New strut bushing and wheel bearing also.

So in a jam I can take the strut with "attached" axle if I have to.

If a urq shop can't do this while I wait - i might just take it to some local guy. It's probably not brain surgery but maybe a non-urq shop might use the wrong strut bushing. Maybe someone will try to sell me a strut cartridge.

12 years ago I took an Audi in for a noisy wheel bearing replacement and the shop said the hub was damaged by the bad bearing and they wouldn't guarantee the new bearing unless I got a new hub $150. The old hub did have a tiny groove in it. I think it was BS.?

ralleyquattro

This way the control arm is not in your way and you have some room to pull the cv downwards while sliding it out... trust me, it will help.

Cheers
Martin

urq20vt

Just spread the crimp and you will be able to take it right off, then slide off the boot. If you are carefull, you can save the boot and clamp.