So I took the "bolt of death" out...

[sovann]

btw, a lot of people also get the strut modules apart by laying them flat on the floor, standing on the middle of the spring and then rattle gunning the top nut off. Pretty safe so long as you get your hand out the way quickly and don't lose your balance.

[DSchultz325e]

hehehe.

I just pull the whole assembly off, hold it with 1 hand, and impact gun off the nut with the other hand.

I have no problem holding the spring, and the strut mount/spring seat just fall onto the table.

spring compressors :roll:

Vicegrip eh!?

[benDASHDASH]

WHAT?! I was supposed to have this thing jacked up??

j/k Since it looks like taking it off jackstands would be the best way, I'll delay this till I put the diff back in.

Off topic FYI: diff swaps are much harder (for lack ogf a better word) on cabrios than coupes. There is way less space above the bolts to work with. Luckily this whole "project" is for the eta.

[benDASHDASH]

Update: I lowered the car and stuck a floor jack under the control arm bearing that I was trying to remove (to push the "bolt of death" high enough through the hole to bolt back on). After negotiating with the bolt for over two hours, I gave up and unbolted the CAB. Much easier. It was pretty much over after that. Its now past 7am and hopefully I'll get the rest of the shocks swapped later today... after I wake up.

btm4k's advice: do not take the bolt of death out before you need to

BTW, whats the actual name of the bolt?

[B2ThaZiZza]

Why dont you just use the spring install faq? I did, only took 3 hours to get everything off and on.

[Digitalwave]

Update: I lowered the car and stuck a floor jack under the control arm bearing that I was trying to remove (to push the "bolt of death" high enough through the hole to bolt back on). After negotiating with the bolt for over two hours, I gave up and unbolted the CAB. Much easier. It was pretty much over after that. Its now past 7am and hopefully I'll get the rest of the shocks swapped later today... after I wake up.

btm4k's advice: do not take the bolt of death out before you need to

BTW, whats the actual name of the bolt?

It's taken you 3 weeks to do your springs? Damn.

I just call it the upper strut nut.