'88 90q Rear Struts/CV Joints/Torque Settings (Long)

[Bob Gregory]

Currently replacing rear strut inserts.  Chose not to
take off axle bolt because reassembly requires 258
lb-ft of torque. Don't have a wrench rated >150. Yes,
I know for 65$US HarborFreight has one rated to 500 or
600.  But.......Replaced front wheel bearing recently
and torqued bolt to 89 lb-ft -- that was tight and
don't know how much more I would be physically able to
do with 24" torque wrench.  After torque setting, bolt
required additional 1/4 turn.  I barely was able to
accomplish this with 24" breaker and 180 lbs (me)
jumping.

Question #1 - How do you get to 258?  What about the
360+ for the crank bolt?  Does the increased lever arm
of a big honking wrench (48") make that much
difference?  Never worked with torques this high and
am feeling ignorant.

Question #2:  Rather than not removing axle bolt, I
disconnected inner CV joint (sort of).  Was able to
lightly tap the boot off the joint but the joint
itself is stuck firmly onto the differential side of
the axle assembly.  Any ideas on how to remove a 14-yr
old CV joint?  There is nothing to pull on or spin.
Do I need some costly tool?

BTW, I was able to compress the spring in-place enough
to rotate the entire strut assembly out of the wheel
well to disassemble the strut/insert.  PITA.  Would
like a more elegant solution (big wrench for bolt or
miracle CV joint unsticking tool) for the other side.

Thanks
Bob Gregory
'84 4kq
'88 90q
'01 S4

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