Trying to find a tool that will allow me to remove the front top nut on the suspension at a reasonable price. Managed to do the rear ones ok but I don't have a tool for the fronts.

 

All I can find so far is a vortex socket set at about £35.

 

Would this work? or am I looking at the wrong thing

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-AUDI-FWD-STRUT-NUT-SOCKET-BER6124-/111297780864?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19e9dd5c80

I used a halfords socket with a hexagon shape on the top,put a spanner on it to undo it,while holding the inner Allen bolt with an Allen key to stop it spinning round!

Bit of a fiddle,but it saved me buying more tools! Lol

Typically they dont appear to have those on the website. All round ones. 

21mm swan neck spanner and a 7 or 8mm (can't remember) allen key is all thats required

Edited 26 March, 201412 yr by BigJase88

Dont have one of those either. 

bought this, hopefully work

 

21mm deep socket.

 

Pair of hefty mole grips & a thick rag.

 

 

Place the rag around the strut piston (Make sure its THICK) and clamp the mole grips onto it as hard as you can.

 

Undoe the top strut nut

Handily, I had a spark plug socket with a hexagon shape on the top that fitted perfect. I don't think I ever used it for removing a spark plug!

You should be using an open socket (see below). It's the only way you can correctly torque the nut whilst counterholding the rod.

 

Trying to find a tool that will allow me to remove the front top nut on the suspension at a reasonable price. Managed to do the rear ones ok but I don't have a tool for the fronts.

 

All I can find so far is a vortex socket set at about £35.

 

Would this work? or am I looking at the wrong thing

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-AUDI-FWD-STRUT-NUT-SOCKET-BER6124-/111297780864?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19e9dd5c80

 

That is not the right tool for our cars

 

You need a open socket 21mm for std bolt or 22m for a coilover strut nut

 

Depending on how often you use it i would just get a 21mm deep ring spanner form B&Q . They are 21mm/23mm either side and 22mm/24mm so i got both

 

plus i got this kit as i love my tools

 

 

 

Laser do a 21mm open socket. IIRC, it's listed as a diesel injector socket.

Although aftermarket struts tend to use a 22mm top nut, the thread size/pitch is usually the same as VAG top nuts, which are 21mm. If you only use VAG top nuts, you really only need 21mm.

best tool for this nut is a compressed air gun,or electric impact gun

 

the combination of open socket and allen would fail in most cases....the allen will shred

best tool for this nut is a compressed air gun,or electric impact gun

 

the combination of open socket and allen would fail in most cases....the allen will shred

 

Never had that happen in all the times i have replaced mine.

...the combination of open socket and allen would fail in most cases....the allen will shred...

Yet, dealers and VAG specialists all over the country don't have this problem

you got lucky.I work on many cars,and to me happens all the time.(most non VAG)

Edited 26 March, 201412 yr by IulianE

you got lucky.I work on many cars,and to me happens all the time.(most non VAG)

Buy better quality Allen keys - there should be no reason for this to happen as the counterholding force from the Allen key is low.

you got lucky.I work on many cars,and to me happens all the time.(most non VAG)

 

If most "none vag", don't see the relevance to add to this thread  not picking a argument by the way....

Vag cars are built well in those strut's

Halfords vortex kit is ideal for this.

Or an impact gun.

right then,I must be an idiot

Decent allen tools will be fine. Buy cheap, buy twice.

Shouldn't be using air tools on struts. Bad move.

Decent allen tools will be fine. Buy cheap, buy twice.

Shouldn't be using air tools on struts. Bad move.

No harm at all in undoing the top nut with an air gun

Struggling to find an open socket. Hard to know the appropriate names for things when you are unfamiliar with things.

 

Was trying to avoid buying a socket set, seems to be about £70 for a vortex(is that the right term?) set.

I once borrowed my friends vw dealer specialist tool kit for the job which was basically a ratchet like bowders with a long Allen key in a socket and it sheared the Allen key trying to undo it so it happens even with the correct tools and it may be a bad idea to some to use one but impact gun is best method for me to remove and to re fit and I know people will say you have to torque it up to whatever nm but I don't cos clearly I'm a bodger for using an impact gun but then no struts have ever fallen out so can't be that much of a bad idea

When I did mine yesterday I used a Allen socket and a ground down swan neck spanner. Abit awkward to do but worked for me really must buy a compressor for at home. Would save me some right hassle.

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I don't get why just a swan neck spanner at 5 quid is not a best option for op. I once drove to local tyre garage get them to airgun the nut nick it back up lightly and drive home to replace. Also allen sockets are much stronger than allen keys just get a single one and job done.

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