SamGTi 0 Posted February 23, 2006 I am wanting to change the front suspension springs on my GTi but can't get the 21mm nut on the top of the strut loose. I have tried with the strut in and out of the car and still no luck. I realise I have to put a 6mm hex key into the strut top too and then turn the nut the opposite way but I just can't seem to move it whatsoever. Any ideas? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonD6B 0 Posted February 23, 2006 What spanner are you using? It should go. If all else fails an air ratchet should shock it undone. Have you taken the tension off the spring? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonnie205 1 Posted February 23, 2006 Yeah use and air impact wrence or you will need a 21mm swan neck and allen key Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SamGTi 0 Posted February 23, 2006 I have tried with tension both on and off the spring. I am using a 21mm swan neck spanner and still no luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest smokinslim Posted February 24, 2006 Get an allen key socket on a large ratchet, lay the strut on the ground, spanner on the nut. Stand on the spanner and strut, and turn the ratchet. Usually does the job. All the gti/cti dampers i've had required a 7mm socket, base model dampers 6mm. Hope this helps anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 245 3 Cars Posted February 24, 2006 Far easier to undo them when they are still on the car, half a turn anyway. You need a 21mm deep ring spanner or a special socket with a slot cut so you can hold the allen key in. If you taken them off your best bet is an air gun at your local tyre fitting spot. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dee205 3 Posted February 26, 2006 What spanner are you using? It should go. If all else fails an air ratchet should shock it undone. Have you taken the tension off the spring? Not only will this be puing loads more presure on the nut making it harder to undo, it'll end up killing you if it shoots off the shock! happened a mate of mine, luckily it shot past his head and flew to the far end of the garage and busted the power boxon the wall! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Veero 1 Posted February 28, 2006 Yeah get some spring compressors on the spring first... Veero Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C_W 3 1 Cars Posted February 28, 2006 Sometimes they'll slacken off with the weight of the car on them, but if they're off the car I tend to the clamp the strut in a vice and use mole grips with a thick rubber strip around the piston rod and undo the nut. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Grand Monkey Posted February 28, 2006 I can vouch for springs being dangerous, one glanced off me and knocked me cold, also seen a bentley spring slip off compressors because it needed four not two. Pinged all the way round the workshop making a right mess of a range rover door in the process. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
