VW spring install

[KatanaGTI]

I've had my springs sitting in my garage for months now and I really need to get them on. I've heard all kinds of horror stories about VW springs, so I haven't even tried yet. Can anyone tell me exactly what the pain is? Possibly tell me how I wanna approach it? I'm not that mechanically retarded, and I've done spring installs on Hondas and Hyundais before, I'm just paranoid after hearing the horror stories. If anyone has done this before and is willing to help, that would be much appreciated....I'll bring the beer:D

[95GSRB18C]

what horror stories are you hearing? I've never heard anything go wrong with a VW spring install...

[1998cc]

Make sure to have air tools it makes it A LOT eaier. The suspension bolts don't want to come off.

[02GTI1.8t]

its not too bad to do . air tools will make it much eaiser. the hardest part is getting the sleeve that holds the bottom of the strut to spread. once you get something up there to spread it its not hard to get the strut out. my first install took 3 1/2 hrs basically trying to figure that part out. the second one i did on brandons car took barly 2 hrs, the most trouble his car gave us was getting the rear wheels off cause they were rusted to the hub

[Pang]

i will not make an attempt at changing springs without airtools..

[Genesis]

I did mine without air tools. the right front is the toughest, start with that one and go counter clockwise (leave the rears for last). it took me 3.5 hrs to get the right front done, but keep in mind I wasn't rushing either. it would help if you have another person to lend you a hand, but it's not necessary. let me know if you have any specific questions.

[2000SiVTEC]

Originally posted by TurboSi
i will not make an attempt at changing springs without airtools..

Why? It's super easy, we have never had to use air tools to do a spring install. And we have lowered more than our share of hondas.

[Brian]

I never used air tools, and i've lowered 3 vw's and probably 6 or 7 honda's

[02GTI1.8t]

air tools are necessary but they make the job so much eaiser

[TedR719]

Air tools are nice, then you can blame the tool instead of you big guns when you break off bolts left and right. I've done most all my lowering installs with good ol man power but air tools would be nice if I had that.

Lowering a VW shouldn't be all that different I would think...

[Genesis]

Originally posted by 02GTI1.8t
air tools are necessary but they make the job so much eaiser
so does a mechanic who you'd pay to install them. :)

[Pang]

installs go faster with air tools. I dropped girliegirlsol's car in less than 45 minutes. I guess im not patience enough to slowly remove everybolt, especially ones that just spin and don't seem to be loosening at all..

[KatanaGTI]

Thanks for the responses. What would you recommend to separate the struts? Is this where the strut is pressed into the hub? I don't suppose anyone who's done this before is willing to help? I'll drive wherever. I'm sick of this monster truck action and I really don't trust myself.
Thanks.
-Matt