Thanks
@Spac, I had success with 222's clamp arrangement idea - used two clamps to bind the taper into the bracket and a few buzzes with an impact gun. Worked a treat .
Spent a few days with a mate installing new struts, shocks and super-pro bushings all around, then had the wheels re-aligned yesterday. The wagon feels like it just rolled out of the factory.. very happy!
(FYI for anyone who's interested: the
SACHS SUPER TOURING FRONT STRUTS from fcpeuro came with the wrong strut gland nut. It' didn't fit in tubes at all and used a completely different thread. annoying as the gland nuts already in my car were aftermarket and didn't fit the new struts properly requiring machining to fit! good thing my mate owns a lathe!! had to scrape off .5mm inside diameter to fit the new Sachs struts. nightmare)