HELP NEEDED: 5kT front strut removal

[Ameer Antar]

I know it's been a while since posting this, but I wanted to thank everyone on the list for sending their advice. I finally got the nuts off of the strut piston rods. The only way I got it was when I took it to a friend w/ a compressor, clamped the piston in a large set of vise-grips, and used an impact wrench on it. It definitely spun a lot, b/c the strut's piston shaft was so smooth; but it eventually loosened very slowly. I think the nut was probably installed using an impact wrench (even though it only should be 44 ft-lbs!), so there was only way out for it - an impact wrench. I had wanted to cut into the piston rod since I was replacing the strut anyway, but the compressed coils of the springs were in the way, so not even a Dremel tool could get in there. I'll make sure to tighten the new ones in at 44 ft-lbs... but hopefully I won't have to worry about it again. Thanks again everyone.

-Ameer

---Original Message---
From: "mike posner" <posne at cts.com>
Date: 8/27/03 10:04:52 PM
Subject: Re: HELP NEEDED: 5kT front strut removal

An impact wrench wrench  either air or electric, will
solve this problem pronto. They can be found
in any tool catalogue, or you may be able to rent one.

Good Luck, mike.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ameer Antar" <antar at comcast.net>
To: "Quattro List" <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 1:23 PM
Subject: HELP NEEDED: 5kT front strut removal


> I'm looking for some advice on removing the struts from their strut
housings on my '85 5kT. I've already removed the assemblies from the car and
have the springs compressed to release the pressure on the spring seats and
lock nut. The problem is that I'm having a lot of trouble getting the upper
locknut off. I'm just using a hex key w/ a pipe over it and a combination
wrench on the nut. It just won't break loose. It seems like it'll take a lot
of force to do it, but the setup I'm using is difficult to apply lots of
torque. Do I have to buy that expensive special tool to remove and install
the strut? I was hoping I could get away w/o it. If I got my hands on some
air tools, would that help? I know there are many of you who have already
done this, so any BTDT's would be great. Thanks a bunch.
>
> -Ameer
>