Sorry I thought you were talking about our platform. Some cars you do have to use the compressors on, sounds like the passat is one of them. GTI springs aren't long like that so there's no need. I've never tried this 2x4 method that people talk about but pulling the axle is so easy that I find it hard to believe anything is easier than that way. To each their own
Sorry I thought you were talking about our platform. Some cars you do have to use the compressors on, sounds like the passat is one of them. GTI springs aren't long like that so there's no need. I've never tried this 2x4 method that people talk about but pulling the axle is so easy that I find it hard to believe anything is easier than that way. To each their own
With the 2x4, you just pull the strut bolt (obviously) & use the strut spreader....then use the 2x4 and a jack to "lift" (compress) the strut out of the knuckle, move/roll the hub slightly forward, lower the jack so the end of the strut is now next to the knuckle, then remove the 3 top bolts & it's free
You're not removing/disconnecting anything that way (read: less chances of something going wrong)
It really is the quicker method, but to each their own
With the 2x4, you just pull the strut bolt (obviously) & use the strut spreader....then use the 2x4 and a jack to "lift" (compress) the strut out of the knuckle, move/roll the hub slightly forward, lower the jack so the end of the strut is now next to the knuckle, then remove the 3 top bolts & it's free
You're not removing/disconnecting anything that way (read: less chances of something going wrong)
It really is the quicker method, but to each their own
I have nothing to prove here, btw. On the NMS Passat (and MK7's) they have a pancaked lower control arm, so you can't swing it down and out of the way like on the MK5/MK6, which is how I previously did it.....so I developed this way to get the strut out, as it was the only way I knew how to (without removing the axles) on my Passat.
But now I use it all the time, and find it easier, because you're removing/disconnecting less things. YMMV
So, obviously, I had the swaybar endlink removed & the strut bolt out & the brake line clip removed--for extra slack (which aren't hard). Sorry that it's rotated:
And I had two of the strut mount bolts out already too (again, not hard)....camera is down, holding the strut with one hand & removing the bolt with the other:
But it was out in a couple minutes & that was the driver's side....no air/power tools (I do it all with hand tools).
(passenger side is easier)
