Need help with front strut removal

[wclepse]

I am trying to replace my front struts but can't get them out. Getting the lower bolt out was easy and I removed the two plugs up top and got those nuts off easy too. But I can't get the strut to clear the lower control arm to get it out. The pinch bolt is pretty well stuck so I would rather not mess with trying to get these out again. Last time I had to use a torch which killed the control arms. Anyway just seems if they made a pass through to get to the two bolts holding the strut in I should be able to get this out. Searching suggests removing the swaybar links which I can try but any other suggestions?

[MetalMan]

Having you tried turning the steering wheel to gain clearance?

[alexharvey72]

Try having someone push down on the hub

[wclepse]

Yeah tried moving the caliper by hand to find a spot to get it to clear but I always come up just short. I tried pushing down on the rotor but can't effectively push it down and hold the strut up to pull it forward. Maybe tomorrow I will be able to get the wife or my neighbor to give me a hand real quick. But say for instance the drivers side, I should be able to turn the wheel all the way to the left, push the rotor/hub down and pull the bottom of the strut towards the front of the car right?

[NickSaieg]

Undo the two upper control arms and the sway bar that's what I had to do when I did my front coilovers

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[wclepse]

If I could get the two control arms I could just take the whole assembly out, but my pinch bolt isn't budging and last time I needed a torch which destroyed the boots on the arms.

[bhusted]

If you still haven't removed the sway bar link, you need to do that. Then just push down on the hub and it'll fall out.

[wclepse]

Yeah did that this morning and got the strut out...thanks for the help. But can anyone confirm if I need to reuse the bottom spring isolator with a Bilstein replacement strut? I tried to transfer it to the new strut but the perch doesn't allow it to sit flat which I think will cause problems but I am concerned that running without the rubber will loud. It is this strut in case it matters: https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4...ont/ES2568504/
Based on the perch design it looks like they have an integrated stop for the end of the coil so I think I should leave it off but would prefer to know for sure.