How to Beef Up Strut Mounts

Saw a new addition to this thread what with some of the newer styles being less than OEM quality.

Another way to reinforce Mk1 strut mounts | VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum

Good shout that Briano1234  I can't remember if you can remove the mount from the strut without spring compression. I'll need to check that. Might be a job worth doing before I get my camber set given the stage of the roads round my way!

Yes you need strut compressors for anything related to the front strut.

Loosen the Axle nut but leave it on for a few threads.

For ease, you can remove the wheel (after jacking it up.)
Remove the Caliper and carrier. (support it so it isn't hanging loose.).  Remember to take the hose out of the carrier on the strut tube.

Remove the outer tie-rod from the spindle.

Remove the lower ball joint pinch bolt and pry the lower control arm off the lower ball joint.

Remove the axle nut and pry the CV out of the lower spindle.

Remove the 2 13mm nuts holding the Strut mount to the frame. (keep a hand on the strut tube assembly.).

Remove the Strut from the car.

With it safely on the ground you can now use the strut compressors, and equally take them down until you can place a Screw-driver between the Spring and the Seat and it moves easily. FAILURE TO INSURE THAT THE SPRING IS COMPRESSED AND THE SPRING IS LOOSE IN THE SEAT CAN KILL YOU.

I Pry the bump stop down, and place a good pair of vice grips on the upper strut tube as tight as I can get it, a good pair of vice-grips that have the curved jaws works well.

Using the ground to hold the vice grips, I can then loosen the Nut on top of the strut mount and remove it to safely take the mount off the assembly.

This way you don't break any of the tracking adjustments as in Camber, or toe-in or out.

See my how to for Struts.


GOING BACK
use the vice-grips to hold the upper shaft as you have the bump stop down, you are clamping the strut shaft above the travel, so you won't damage the seat on the cartridge. You can fully tighten the Strut shaft nut on the mount, just make sure that your upper perch is correctly positioned.