Ok guys I need some help. I'm swapping out my shocks on my 6n stockhatch and can't get the top nut off the shaft. I've tried heat, soaking in wd40 and tapped with a hammer to loosen. The nut hasn't shifted a bit and to cap it all the Allen socket in the shaft to stop the shaft spinning has now split as well.

I'm not sure I have a drill man enough to drill out a shock shaft.

Any ideas?

if its still drivable then id see if a back street garage /tyre center will roar it off with an air gun

otherwise clarke do a mains powered impact gun

Its easier to loosen them with the car still on its wheels on the ground. But yes, get them blatted off with an air gun.

If you're not keeping the shocks, clamp a pair of grips on the shaft so you have something to pull against.

As above.

As you are fitting new shock absorbers anyway, try gripping the shaft with a pair of GOOD Mole Grips. - Those hexagon sockets at the top are OK for tightening the new one, but are rarely much good for holding one that has been on the car for good few years.

You could also try something like 'Plus-Gas' penetrating fluid, which is better for this purpose than WD40.

Regards

Thanks guys. Is it possible to get the whole assembly including top mount off the car without undoing this nut?. I could then work on it with a bit more space.?

Edited 5 March, 201511 yr by BigAshW

Fair point, I was thinking of the older cars. Worst case then is drop the strut off and take to a buzz gun.

Sorry forgot to add the ? I was asking is it possible to drop the whole strut?

Ok I've looked and can't drop the strut out. I now have two grips on the shaft and still can't hold it still. The bloody nut is the worst I've ever come across. :(

this happened to me and what i done to keep the shaft still was use pipe grips but i then used coil spring compressors on the grips handles and tightened them with a ratchet f*****g tight, (way tighter than any person could), and i also taped a breaker bar to the grip handle just for extra length so it was easier to hold still with more leverage.

sorry if this is impossible to picture lol

Cheers mate. My spring compressor are currently holding my spring in at the moment.

If I was to cut the springs and shock off would the rest of the shaft push through the top?

Not sure if that is possible on a 6n mate, on mk2's I'm sure the whole shock can be pulled out up through the turret with ease, if you cut the shaft you will need to get new spring cups and shaft nuts aswell as top mounts because you wont beable to remove them from the shaft down ways if that makes sense.

i think your only choice is to get the nut off unless you want to fork out a bit money, are you using the proper vw tool to remove the nut?? or is it the very top nut which you can see after lifting the bonnet? either way finding a way to get it off is the best way, you dont want to cut the shaft...have you tried splitting the nut?

Edited 6 March, 201511 yr by wizardmanjm

I didn't know there is a tool it just looks like a 21mm nut to me. I have new shocks and springs to go on. And I'm guessing I'm going to have to replace the rubber at the top now as that's burned where I heated the nut.

This is the offending article :( I'm just thinking that cutting away the shock and spring would give me some more room to grip the shaft. But if I have to get a new top mount then so be it.

okay so the very top nut, I asked because there is a one underneath the top cap holding the top mount and spring cup etc which requires a specific tool to remove it.

same goes really, you would need spring cups, strut nuts, and top mounts, the cups were hard for me to get hold of but may be more common for 6n's. You may be lucky and be able to save some of those parts if you have enough room to make a cut between the top cap and top mount but i dont know how much of a gap there will be.

if you cut the shaft the top mount and cup will stop you being able to pull the shaft through the hole in the turret

This is the offending article :( I'm just thinking that cutting away the shock and spring would give me some more room to grip the shaft. But if I have to get a new top mount then so be it.

those top caps are fairly cheap new anyway, may sound crazy but if you have a handheld grinder which is small enough to not damage any bodywork you could grind down the centre and split that nut with the top of the shaft to get it off.

dont blame me if it goes wrong haha^^^

or cut the spring with weight of car off the floor and get a mate to grip the shaft with compressors holding the grips tight as shit and then both of you pull in opposite directions

that would be best option, first one is a tad reckless. assuming u have springs too

Sigh... Well I've had to head in to work now so Will have a go tomorrow. I may purchase a nut splitter and see if I can get it in there as a last attempt to save the top mounts.

Sigh... Well I've had to head in to work now so Will have a go tomorrow. I may purchase a nut splitter and see if I can get it in there as a last attempt to save the top mounts.

good luck for tomorrow then, that second option should definitely work, iv'e used the compressors on grips technique many times now with stubborn shock absorber shafts lol

http://m.ebay.com/itm/131302812760?_mwBanner=1

Would these be the mounts I need if I have to cut them?

pretty sure they are wrong ones mate, check gsf or eurocarparts and put your number plate in to be safe and it will give you the correct ones, as for top caps i cant remember where to get them, i bought some but i cant remember the site now, you would also need the nuts.

this guy is selling a spring cup, top mount the top cap and both nuts so could be worth a look unless you need everything for both sides of the car because then it would be better getting the stuff new in pairs.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vw-POLO-6N1-Front-Strut-Top-Mounting-with-Rubber-and-Nuts-1995-1999-/381152685611?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item58be786e2b

I'm taking it your is the 6n1... what year is it?

i would do numberplate searches just to be safe

Lol it's a auto grass car now so doesn't have a plate. I'm pretty sure its on a p plate so 96 I believe. Would have to check through my photos to be sure though.

Edited 6 March, 201511 yr by BigAshW

Yeah just checked my other thread and it had a p plate on it.

yeah so yours is a 6n1, that on ebay would suit then unless of course you need for both sides of the car and not just the one side, have u any luck with the other side at all?

Edited 6 March, 201511 yr by wizardmanjm

yeah so yours is a 6n1, that on ebay would suit then unless of course you need for both sides of the car and not just the one side, have u any luck with the other side at all?

Lol I haven't even looked at the other side yet.

Right I've grabbed that one on eBay. So at least I have one spare.