Just getting the tools ready to maybe do a suspension change.

 

Has anybody found any cheaper sockets than these for doing the strut top nut. They look perfect but I think are quite overpriced for a few sockets with a cut out. Any ideas...current nut is 22mm.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281994505606

Could get a vortex go thru whole set for not much more but I wouldn't be able to torque to correct spec then.

You can use a cranked ring spanner.

Just now, sepulchrave said:

You can use a cranked ring spanner.

Just a swan neck spanner?? No way of torqueing up then though I guess

Just now, smithysmoo said:

Just a swan neck spanner?? No way of torqueing up then though I guess

 

Well it's a nyloc nut under massive spring preload, it just needs to be tight.

Ok buddy thanks...

I use a socket with hexagon sides that i pass a allen bit through

i use a large spanner on the socket and ratchet on allen bit

 

I had to grind down the allen bit a little to get it through the hollow part in the socket.

 

easy to tighten and untighten

 

cost about £6

 

An impact gun will work too

Cheers mate...Will look for a socket with sides..

Spark plug skt out of a socket set is usually like what corndog describes.

Cheers wino, will go have a look what I've got in my box of tricks

As sepulchrave says, a cranked ring spanner with what I seem to remember is the 7mm hex key for the front calliper mounts for the damper rod centre hexagon. 

cool cheers mate...

Cool Cheers Mate 

Allen key size depends on the struts currently fitted I’ve discovered, you can use a torque wrench on the spark plug socket after giving it an initial tightening up as the piston rod probably will not turn too much after that.

 

Have you got a suitable thing to open the cast hub socket slightly and keep it slightly opened, also a trisquare bit to hold the head of the strut to hub carrier bolt - unless you can get away with using Molegrips - and a  socket for the hub nut on the RHS only.

5 hours ago, Wino said:

Spark plug skt out of a socket set is usually like what corndog describes.

 

That's what I use. You can crack the nuts loose while the struts are still on the car too.

 Also be aware that the struts top bearing could come apart when you take the spring out - I had this problem previously when replacing a broken spring which basically stopped the job half way through. While it appears that you have a Polo that may be different, I found CartParts4Less cheapest. Item for my 1.9TDI Elegance is Q-Drive Top Strut Mounting KitProduct Code: 609440321 @ £7.38 minus whatever discount is available.

2 hours ago, rum4mo said:

Allen key size depends on the struts currently fitted I’ve discovered, you can use a torque wrench on the spark plug socket after giving it an initial tightening up as the piston rod probably will not turn too much after that.

 

Have you got a suitable thing to open the cast hub socket slightly and keep it slightly opened, also a trisquare bit to hold the head of the strut to hub carrier bolt - unless you can get away with using Molegrips - and a  socket for the hub nut on the RHS only.

I think I've got something to spread the hub otherwise I've found the part on ebay fairly cheaply...Whats a trisquare bit is it a spline??? Never heard of one of these..You got a link or pic??

Edited 6 January, 20197 yr by smithysmoo
update

54 minutes ago, TMB said:

 

That's what I use. You can crack the nuts loose while the struts are still on the car too.

I'll check see if mine fits although has aftermarket suspension with a 22mm nut so not sure.

35 minutes ago, KeithCheetham said:

 Also be aware that the struts top bearing could come apart when you take the spring out - I had this problem previously when replacing a broken spring which basically stopped the job half way through. While it appears that you have a Polo that may be different, I found CartParts4Less cheapest. Item for my 1.9TDI Elegance is Q-Drive Top Strut Mounting KitProduct Code: 609440321 @ £7.38 minus whatever discount is available.

I've got a fabia Vrs profile still on previous car for some reason. Its on aftermarket coilover suspension so hoping will be ok..

33 minutes ago, smithysmoo said:

I think I've got something to spread the hub otherwise I've found the part on ebay fairly cheaply...Whats a trisquare bit is it a spline??? Never heard of one of these..You got a link or pic??

 

Trisquare is a 12 pointed bit, so yes spline.  My "proper" VW Group parts listing describes that bolt as having a Torx head, and that was not true for any original factory fitted bolts or the VW Group new spares bought. M16 rings a bell - and my set and most others stop at M15, which is a bit annoying - no pun intended!

 

I'm sure that there is either a guide in this forum detailing any/all tools handy to have, or plenty posts from many years back with that info.

 

Edit:- replacing the top bearings is always a smart move as you really don't want to revisit this job in the near future.

 

Another Edit:- sorry my top bearings suggestion has been covered already!

Edited 6 January, 20197 yr by rum4mo

Tri-square is similar to spline, yes, though strictly speaking spline is quad-triangle, rather than triple-square.  It's M14.

 

Spark plug sicket probably won't work on 22mm , but worth checking if you already have one.

Edited 6 January, 20197 yr by Wino

If anyone is searching on line for that sort of bit, the term Trisquare and/or XZN will return the correct items.

4 minutes ago, Wino said:

Tri-square is similar to spline, yes, though strictly speaking spline is quad-triangle, rather than triple-square.  It's M14.

 

Spark plug sicket probably won't work on 22mm , but worth checking if you already have one.

Wino, will spline work on a tri square then...I should have an M14 in the kit already...Yes I will check the spark plug socket but think its slightly small. I've found an oxygen sensor socket online which is 22mm and has a cutout to so this could be a winner.

2 minutes ago, rum4mo said:

If anyone is searching on line for that sort of bit, the term Trisquare and/or XZN will return the correct items.

I looked up trisquare and it came back with spline so I'm guessing I should be ok for that.

Yep. Most so-called spline bits are actually triple-square anyway.