Top Damper Nut Removal

1. user_61020 Established Member Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 2009 Saxò VTS 16v

   #1 15th July 2016, 18:43

   Hi,I'm having some difficulties undoing this,the Torx 40 bit at the top that you are supposed to use is rusted and has stripped so quite useless now,I've tried to use self locking pliers among other thing but the don't seem to have enough clamping force to counter the top nut,I'm kind of stuck and would appreciate some advice,is it just a case of buying some proper pliers or is there any other way around this?
   I would like to try and save the damper insert but don't really need at the moment so this can be sacrificed if needed,many thanks.
   
   Springs already compressed with the specific tool.
2. Ben_SaxoForte Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project

   #2 15th July 2016, 18:56

   knock the gold coloured cap loose that holds the damper into the strut assembly then you will be able to pull out the damper/shock with only the top mount attached to it then you can put the shock absorber into a vice with something wrapped around it to protect it from getting damaged then undo the top nut as it won't spin anymore

   1 user thanked this post: user_61020
3. user_106687 Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2016 Oxfordshire, bicester Posts: 152 Saxo Vtr in black 53 plate Silvertop with a few mo

   #3 15th July 2016, 19:30

   Best way I found of doing it was to loosen the nut off whilst still on the car then put it back on finger tight, that way you don't have to faff around
4. user_106687 Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2016 Oxfordshire, bicester Posts: 152 Saxo Vtr in black 53 plate Silvertop with a few mo

   #4 15th July 2016, 19:31

   And by on the car I mean wheel back on and car on the floor, if the damper is under weight it won't turn but the nut will
5. user_61020 Established Member Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 2009 Saxò VTS 16v

   #5 15th July 2016, 20:03

   Will be buying a 600mm pipe wrench to undo it,doesn't matter if the collar gets damaged,hopefully this will suffice,will update the thread when I get around to do it,thanks for the help.
6. willsy West Midlands Joined: Nov 2005 Nuneaton (West Mids) Posts: 13835 '64 Volvo V40 R’Design, '89 Ph1 309 GTi, ‘97 Mk1 S

   #6 16th July 2016, 01:16

   Airgun works easy enough
7. Mickswan Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Apr 2013 Jarrow Posts: 4022 2003 Icelandic Grey 16v VTR 1991 Daihatsu GTti

   #7 16th July 2016, 07:33

   Impact gun is what you need. You might think about investing in an electric one. Saved me all sorts of ball aches.
8. user_61020 Established Member Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 2009 Saxò VTS 16v

   #8 19th July 2016, 13:24

   Impact gun is surely something I need to invest into,would come very handy in some situations,anyhow I was able to shock the collar undone and then slowly take it off with some locking pliers,now can finally start refurbishing them with the help of Deox-C and fit some nice coilovers and new wheel bearings.

   1 user thanked this post: Ben_SaxoForte