Tips that may help some people with 2x4 and in general. That saved me a lot of time
Tip 1: if the spreader isn't spreading far enough you can jam a penny(coin) between and then you'll get a few extra mm of spread and it might just be what you need. Make sure the spreader tool is for VW and at least 8mm wide on the big side. I had a spreader for Renault and it was on 7mm and was not enough here in Germany.
Tip 2: When putting the strut back in make sure the tab on the bottom of strut is as straight as possible with the middle of the spindle. Otherwise it'll be difficult to get in the last bit and/or it'll make it way way easier for everything to sit nice.
Tip 3: If the tab is out of place you can use the 2x4 as leverage to turn the strut while it's in the spindle. You just need to have it 90 degrees out from the jacking position and then push left or right by hand on the wood. (hopefully this makes sense)
I did this job on my mk7 a long time ago and the car was fairly new so it was easier.
When I did it on my mk6 now stuff was more rusty and stiff. Since my stuff was a little rustier this time round it was a little more effort to get in/out.
First side took me over 4 hours because I spent over 2 hrs frustratingly getting it to sit all the way down. Once I figured out these small tricks the other side took 1hr in/out.
Also, lube it up and clean the spindle with a brush and it should go pretty smooth.
I added 2 pictures with a bad tab placement and good.
Cheers and good luck. Hopefully this helps someone.
*Also, Hazet makes this amazing spreader but it's new and on backorder here in DE and it's quite expensive 50€. Though may be worth it for people that do it often, help friends, or change different cars.
Hazet 4912-5
Cheers from Munich, Germany.
Thanks to OP for this thread, great work.