upper strut nut question...

[ewanhopkins@hotmail.com (Ewan Hopkins)]

IME, as long as you remember to loosen the top nut before you remove the 
strut from the car, it's a piece of cake. I have done it many times using an 
offset ring spanner and an allen key with a piece of pipe for extra leverage 
- worked every time. A few taps on the nut with a hammer & chisel will help 
to loosen the thread.  If you undo the nut most of the way up the shaft 
before removing the strut then it generally makes life easier. As for 
removing the shock from the strut, gentle bashing with a hammer on the side 
and top of the cap will also help to loosen the thread. Not too hard on the 
sides mind you - going hell for leather with a 2lb mash hammer might just 
distort it a bit!

HTH,

Ewan Hopkins
'85 Storm 2.0
'86 GT 1.8
'87 GT 1.6

>From: Ron Pieper <rapieper@yahoo.com>
>To: Jason Jones <jnbjones@boulder.net>, scirocco-l@scirocco.org
>Subject: Re: upper strut nut question...
>Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 13:13:27 -0800 (PST)
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>
>--- Jason Jones <jnbjones@boulder.net> wrote:
> > I am about to undertake my first strut replacement and am worried
> > about
> > being able to remove these nuts.  Is it impossible to do without an
> > impact wrench?
>
>No, but it's far easier with one.
>
> >Also, I was thinking it would be safer/easier to get
> > leverage if I were to use the spring compressor with the strut still
> > on
> > the car and then once the nut is loosened remove the strut and
> > proceed.
> > Any issues with this?
>
>Hmmm...tight fit...too tight...BTDT.
>
>Here's what I've done in the absence of having the "right" tool.  I
>found the right sized socket, and ground a few flats into the sides, so
>a Kentucky Fit-All (or vice-grips) would fit.  Through the square hole,
>I put the allen wrench, with a pipe or something to gain the required
>torque.  Just loosen it a bit.
>
>Or, preferably, get the right tool.
>
>Then remove the strut, install compressors, and go to town.  YOu can
>grab the shaft if you have to, since it's scrap anyway.  Trust me
>though, that steel is sooo hard that not many hand tools will touch it,
>so success has limited potential.
>
>AFA getting the nut that holds the shock off (you didn't ask, but...) ,
>put the strut (sans spring) back onto the hub carrier, and let the car
>help you out.  Put large channellocks on the nut.  Put a loong (3' or
>4') cheater bar on the outside (longer) handle of the channellocks, and
>gronk away.  It *will* loosen.  Remember, heat is your friend.
>
> > Also, would a shop be
> > inclined to swap the cartridges for me even if I didn't purchase them
> > from them and if so, what would be an appropriate charge?
>
>That all depends on the shop!  Try an automotive machine shop that
>doesn't sell so much.  Figure 1 hour's work...what, $40, $50?
>
>=====
>Cheapass Ron
>"Victor" '87 16V Scirocco
>"Teufelhasen" '93 Cabby <-For sale
>
>If it ain't foggy, TURN OFF YOUR FOG LIGHTS.
>
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