Loosening top of front strut?

[Mk3 AAA]

I'd ask this in my thread but it'll just get buried away.

I want to remove the front suspension but the top mount is just rotating with the inner shaft of the strut, looks like a deep deep ring spanner around that big fat nut that winds down onto the mount and then a spanner to keep the shaft still is the answer, but is there a special tool? Or something easy? Would need a deeeeeeeeeeeep ring spanner. Ki11z said rattle gun, could be the answer too.

Suspension isn't stock but doubt the basic principals would change.

I know I could improv something but I hate doing that with tools, not if I can help it

Ideas?

[ffoff]

rattle gun is the easiest way mate, if you dont have one, try get a socket that you can slot a spanner onto and run an allen key through the middle to hold the shaft.

One thing you can also try is undo the top nut while the shock is loaded. it might stop the shaft from spinning.

[Defaultuser0520]

I coated it in WD40, used a spark plug socket and spanner on the nut, which allows you to feed an allen key down the middle, hold that with a jack handle or cheater bar

[Mk3 AAA]

rattle gun is the easiest way mate, if you dont have one, try get a socket that you can slot a spanner onto and run an allen key through the middle to hold the shaft.

One thing you can also try is undo the top nut while the shock is loaded. it might stop the shaft from spinning.

Yeah I think you're right, socket doesn't quite work as they're Konis with the damper adjuster on the top instead of an allen key hole. But it does have a flat section a spanner could get on to.

Still spins loaded.

Could also get something to grip the spinning mount around the edge, but don't want to damage anything...and it's just generally dodgy practice.

[Jmac]

Geez im so strong!!!!!!! i tightened that!!!

[Jmac]

Safety over time fella.haha. S before T FTW. Got to ask my wife to omit spinach from the cut lunch mate!! Remember Bessy( the Alba Rig) has a compressor on board so if need be ill zap it when i come passed next week

Cheers
Jmac

[rayray086]

Annoying that the top of the strut piston isn't an allen fitting. I know that with the standard non-slotted nut that VW uses, I remember it was very similar to a 13/16" spark plug, so you can use that and use a spanner to undo the nut while you slot the allen bit down the centre.

The top nut that I supplied with the Hottunings are 17mm or 19mm, I don't remember, but it allowed one of my deep ring spanners to fall in easily, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Air impact gun would be easiest as everyone has mentioned. I pulled my suspension so many times that I put it back together using an impact too. I know it's not a problem as I can easily zip it undone too.

[RisingPhoenix]

If you get the chance that'd be perfect, bonnet doesn't shut and the fridge is always Cooper-ed, easy. Just try not to make eye contact with the old Audi it might start expecting TLC when it sees the Alba HQ arrive.

Wait, wait. VW and Coopers fans. Hmm, I've stumbled into something much deeper and darker than I realised, especially since currently in the boot of my humble Polo is 3 cartons of Sparkling Ale about to go in the fridge that I was given for free.

[RisingPhoenix]

I'm lucky I work for a transport company and when things shift in transit and glass breaks, they say to destroy the beer (Thank you Coopers SA). Which, I do in the most humane way possible of course. Consumption!

[Mk3 AAA]

Ok, a mate and I got his Colourconcept one loose using a socket with a plumbers wrench on it and an allen key down the centre with an extension for torque, but he has the luxury of the allen key at the top instead of the damper adjustment bit (which does have a flat spot lower down, but still a bit tricky... almost need a really deep small socket bit). The red hatch is getting its stock struts binned, for the blue sedans Koni yellows. Blue sedan getting coils.. playing musical suspension.

[Mk3 AAA]

Just an update on this, rattle gun with spark plug attachment made this an easy job. Vento got some coils, colourconcept got some Koni yellows.

If you're doing this... USE A RATTLE GUN. Rattle gun = tying shoe laces with hands, improv' tools = with boxing gloves on.

[Ben J]

Too true. I spent an entire weekend trying to get those bastards off my first car, and ended up taking a drill and angle grinder to them asfter rounding the nut breaking tools etc. I got a rattle gun now and it takes all of 3 seconds.