Darn struts... how to remove the shock absorbers?
 

Separating 100k (or maybe younger, who knows, but OEM parts, so could be this old...) ball joints is tricky enough. Takes a lot of effort.

But then, getting the strut out from the hub is another story.
How the heck you pull it out?

Then, second part of the story, which still ties back to the first part - how to easily insert KONIs as they are a tad wider??
What I did, and now I am even more stuck, was to assemble it, insert as much as I could, and then push the wishbone using hydraulic jack.
What could go wrong, huh?
Sure, the red strut jumped into its place, but way too deep. How shall I push it out now??

At least reassembling the springs and all related parts is OK.

Please help me.
Give me some ideas how to pull this KONI up a bit and how to get the remaining 3 out.

Here`s some videos that might help you, good luck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0XdG-MBOac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNwTvXvUksk&t=216s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13ONEFz06rc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81igsWJ7su4

yeah, I saw those before and a few more.
In all of them the struts simply slid out from the carrier.
Mine are stuck. There is a little wiggle, but the front passenger (first one I worked on - others were not touched yet) was hours of playing to pull out.

Yeah they can be a pain sometimes to remove. Here`s a couple of videos that show you a different way to remove them that gives you more clearance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYuNWXQ_8iI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFuERvwEt-I

When I installed coilovers, I removed the oem struts by compressing the springs with large f clamps and heavy duty pipe clamps. Farm engineering at is finest. As for removing them from the carrier - this may sound stupid but you did loosen the drop link bolt right?

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ike84 - good one... but yes, I did.
It just looks like everyone has their just slide out of the carrier. Mine are stuck.
Then, inserting KONIs is also a problem as it needs a lot of force.

I ended up removing the carrier with the strut and separating them on the floor using flat blade as a wedge and rubber mallet on the bottom to push the strut out.
Finally got it installed right this time.
Moved to the back. We will see if the back one is stuck as well.

Would be nice if their was a place in the slot where you could gently tap a chisel and expand the carrier.
Heat?
Mine weren’t a problem either, sorry

It is a bizarre car...

Only the front passenger side gave me so much trouble. More oxidation/corrosion? (not rust as the carrier is aluminum alloy)
Anyway, done (almost) with all 4 corners. Only a slight push needed for the rears. Driver side - easily in and out.


Now I need to tight down the bolts.
Since they say to have the car sitting on wheels - would it be enough to use jack on one corner to bright the wheel to level?

And then, the rear brace - OK to torque it while wheels are off the ground?