Re: [Req info] macpherson strut/ shockers

Assuming its the same as an A1-3 its about as easy as you can get. There's one nut at the top, and one bolt at the bottom, and its out. On the Jetta, its a real pita to get at the nut because of the shelf above it, being a wagon, you probably don't have the shelf so it should be easy. You probably want to support the axle on a hydraulic jack or something as it will be very difficult to get the shock back in without it. Once its out of the car, its just held together by a single nut. I'm pretty sure you do *NOT* need a spring compressor for rear shocks, only the front struts. Only real potential complication is rust, or having to replace parts you didn't anticipate (there are a lot of little parts under the nut at the top and within the shock assembly.

If you do have something blocking access to the top nut, the "correct" solution is a very deep offset 17mm (I think its 17) box-end wrench (I'm pretty sure Hazet makes one, but it'll cost you). The "cheap" solution is a 17mm socket and visegrips which I've used successfully.