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I used to believe that the front struts on early production used a shock cartridge/insert which implied that the camber could not be changed ala NG900. I based that belief on what I read on this BB a long time ago. But after looking at WIS and EPC, for 1998 and 2004 it appears that the strut has aways been of the type where the knuckle is separate and the shock has the spring seat and attachment ears welded to it. So all years would have the camber go way off with a strut replacement. In 2002+ the steering knuckle was changed to aluminum from steel. This was done to save weight in preparation for the introduction of the diesel engine in europe and also as part of a major refinement of the suspention front and rear. This arrangement means that all front strut work needs a professional alignement. Not ideal for DIY. But in compensation, the strut is very easy to remove.
(With the cartridge insert types, replacement of the front shocks did not change the camber and there is no provision to adjust in any case. The toe-in would not change either. But replacement of control arms or bushings would require toe-in check or adjustment. So this arrangement is good for DIY as alignment is not required, but in the case of the NG900, the strut can be difficult to remove to do the work. This difficlulty of work makes the job a difficult DIY and not appropriate for many.)
There is a possibilty of the alignment of the front strut to go out from a shock load from a severe pot hole etc. The knuckle attachment pinch bolts can shift in some cases. (Once this happens, if it ever does at all on a particular vehicle, it is very unlikely that it can go further, so the situation is stable until a strut replacement occurs.) The welded strut tube and knuckle on the NG900 cannot do that.
I have worked on both arrangements. On a 95SET and a 97 Passat TDI.
I hope that I have this front strut history correct now, hopefully others will straigten me out if not.
posted by 68.95.72...
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