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2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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nick_martin
Novice
Jun 3, 2021, 6:38 PM
Post #1 of 14
(2666 views)
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2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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Hi, I have an 06 VW Jetta with >300k miles and worn out suspension.
I am trying to assemble new struts and the spring will not stay aligned in the center on the top bearing. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
I'm using macpherson strut compressor tools at 180 degrees from each other and alternating side to side a little at a time. I have even clamped the top end of the spring in place while undoing the compressors. When I remove the clamp the spring moves out of alignment.
I have all new OEM parts, including the springs. The old ones had the passenger side sagging an inch lower than driver side.
pics:
https://imgur.com/a/vZE05Tk
Can I put it on the car like this? I really don't want to. Thank you for any ideas or advice.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 4, 2021, 1:02 AM
Post #2 of 14
(2645 views)
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Re: 2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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I just got a blank page from the picture site?
No matter I would NOT put it on and leave it that way it's not going to heal into position.
Seems like you are going for it with this car OE parts at the miles see if you can beat all odds and may. This stuff with tools you mentioned has scared me to use since all time! I took those to a companion shop that put them together with better compression tools (the wall mounted stuff) than I had so limited with first hand - stood back knowing you have a hand grenade with the pin pulled to handle.
It's not lining up so 'guess of the day' is tools aren't doing it or parts somehow not right suggest stop before disaster allow another here maybe shed some light on this where the issue is?
I'm not sure yet your doing anything wrong yet,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 4, 2021, 3:56 AM
Post #3 of 14
(2639 views)
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Re: 2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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I don't understand what you are using for parts. That appears to be a complete new assembly, although I don't see any grooves in the saddle for the spring to settle into.
If it is a complete unit why are you messing with it at all. It should have come out of the box ready to install.
The upper strut plates are not always positioned flat because car bodies vary. Some require an angle at the top mount to match the body shape.
Here's what it's supposed to look like
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 4, 2021, 5:25 AM
Post #4 of 14
(2633 views)
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Re: 2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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I'll thank you HT - on the response. I forgot different body so this was purchased in parts room for a mistake. Those outside spring compressors if like what I know are suicide tools IMO have worked for me but quit it as said no room for failures.
Buy whole takes the BS out of this even if some more cost. OP's description was scary to me now even more worried! T
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nick_martin
Novice
Jun 4, 2021, 7:07 AM
Post #5 of 14
(2628 views)
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Re: 2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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I'm using a parts kit to assemble the strut.
Links deleted
I certainly would have used a strut already assembled, however it wasn't available when I was buying the parts. These parts are from the original supplier for vw as I want to stay with OE parts for most stuff. I wouldn't get it from a dealer since it would cost much more.
In every video and tutorial I saw about doing this, it was simple enough and the spring sets into place. Not one mentioned anything about this difficulty, only to be careful with the spring compressor. On the bottom perch, there is a slot that the spring sits in. It is in this slot, but still the top part is not centered like in your picture.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jun 4, 2021, 1:56 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 4, 2021, 7:15 AM
Post #6 of 14
(2624 views)
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Re: 2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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Are you kidding me? Why on earth would you pay those outrageous prices for parts you have to assemble when a complete assembly is available for under $100.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jun 4, 2021, 7:18 AM)
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nick_martin
Novice
Jun 4, 2021, 7:17 AM
Post #7 of 14
(2620 views)
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Re: 2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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This is a 1.9L TDI engine with 5speed manual transmission, which is running soundly (crosses fingers). I've maintained the engine with the expectation that it would last longer. I've done three timing belt changes, two camshafts, and various other parts. Of course everything else around the engine, like the suspension, still wears out.
If this were a gas engine, I probably wouldn't be trying to keep going with it.
(This post was edited by nick_martin on Jun 4, 2021, 7:19 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 4, 2021, 7:29 AM
Post #8 of 14
(2608 views)
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Re: 2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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Side note on parts: Nick, VW + most don't make most of these for new cars so send that to a contractor as "common" to need anyway.
All will wear, apparently you are quite aware of stuff that you have no choice like these over years, conditions and miles.
So yes you found them one by one and now sure there's a mistake in parts as a hunch up top too, Tom
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nick_martin
Novice
Jun 4, 2021, 7:37 AM
Post #9 of 14
(2605 views)
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Re: 2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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I would prefer to stay with original supplier parts for this. If I knew this would be such a PITA I would have done something different.
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Double J
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jun 4, 2021, 8:42 AM
Post #10 of 14
(2578 views)
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Re: 2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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You bought the wrong Springs Brother.
I followed the link for the Coil Springs you posted.
When i checked Vehicle Fitment, It appears these are not the ones for your model.
Shows these to be for the 2.5 L or 2.0 L
It shows these are NOT for the 2006 TDI 1.9L 5 speed.
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nick_martin
Novice
Jun 4, 2021, 1:08 PM
Post #11 of 14
(2554 views)
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Re: 2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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Yes, the link says that it isn't for my car. I matched them with these link deleted ........... not allowed
which are for my car. They are the exact same springs. I called FCP twice and they told me they were for my car. They said they would fix the website, however they haven't.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jun 4, 2021, 1:53 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 4, 2021, 1:55 PM
Post #12 of 14
(2539 views)
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Re: 2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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OK, enough with the links. We were being a little flexible but you can't keep doing that.
Links are not allowed at all on this forum except to images or videos of your own.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 4, 2021, 8:24 PM
Post #14 of 14
(2490 views)
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Re: 2006 VW Jetta, strut assembly crooked spring
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Quote Nick: "> They said they would fix the website, however they haven't. <"
Are you even slightly surprised? Don't hold your breath for them to fix it, mistakes last for eternity on the web.
This is being a LOT of trouble over parts and the on-line shopping for you. Are you willing to throw in the towel and just take your old parts into a parts place and match them up on the counter?
Can you send the wrong ones back on them or is shipping on you? There's the snag, it will cost you more they cost to ship them.
Nick, I could tell when I saw the miles on this and you wanted to go OE you were really wanting to keep this car also trust it's been good to you so far.
There's a limit when some dang thing will be way too costly to carry on with it even if price is no object. Even then at some point you need some alternate way to get around waiting for BS like this till it's right and ready to take on, IMO,
Tom
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