My mk3 VW Polo (90-94) is getting new front shocks. However, the top
strut
nut doesn't appear to be the usual VW special tool job, i.e. it's not
one requiring tool SX028 from Sealey (see www.sealey.co.uk and search
for SX028). Instead it has an ordinary nut. When I try to turn the
b*stard, the whole shaft turns and I don't know how to stop the shaft
from turning. The shocks were last replaced by VW maindealer in late
1990s. The cap has no grooves/slots either. Any ideas?

Adam
(if responding by email please email ab1 'at' cs 'dot' bath 'dot' ac
'dot' uk)

wrote in message
news:1123766705.192702.193200@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

> My mk3 VW Polo (90-94) is getting new front shocks. However, the top
> strut
> nut doesn't appear to be the usual VW special tool job, i.e. it's not
> one requiring tool SX028 from Sealey (see www.sealey.co.uk and search
> for SX028). Instead it has an ordinary nut. When I try to turn the
> b*stard, the whole shaft turns and I don't know how to stop the shaft
> from turning. The shocks were last replaced by VW maindealer in late
> 1990s. The cap has no grooves/slots either. Any ideas?
>

Air impact wrench? ('rattle gun')

JB

"JB"  wrote in message news:3m13ldF14s3s0U1@individual.net...

>
>  wrote in message
> news:1123766705.192702.193200@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>> My mk3 VW Polo (90-94) is getting new front shocks. However, the top
>> strut
>> nut doesn't appear to be the usual VW special tool job, i.e. it's not
>> one requiring tool SX028 from Sealey (see www.sealey.co.uk and search
>> for SX028). Instead it has an ordinary nut. When I try to turn the
>> b*stard, the whole shaft turns and I don't know how to stop the shaft
>> from turning. The shocks were last replaced by VW maindealer in late
>> 1990s. The cap has no grooves/slots either. Any ideas?
>>
> Air impact wrench? ('rattle gun')


That's the normal solution or there is normally a way to stop the shaft from 
turning by using an open top socket or spanner and another tool.

Well, I don't have an impact wrench at home. :( Also, there's just one
nut as opposed to two like on some other applications. Gripping with a
vice grip seems to be the only viable alternative... I'll have a try
tonight and will report the outcome tomorrow.

On Thu, 11 Aug 2005 17:01:10 +0100,  wrote:


> Well, I don't have an impact wrench at home. :( Also, there's just one
> nut as opposed to two like on some other applications. Gripping with a
> vice grip seems to be the only viable alternative... I'll have a try
> tonight and will report the outcome tomorrow.
>


Isn't there a hole in the top for an allen key on a polo?

Well, problem solved. The top nut was undone by holding the shocker
shaft with a 16'' water pump pliers and using a socket to undo the nut.
The same can be done using a swan neck ring spanner on the nut and a
small socket on the shaft.

Now that the strut is out I need Sealey tool SX033 to undo the special
nut holding the shock aborber at the top. I'm collecting that tool
tomorrow morning from a motor factors.

Thank you to all those who replied.

Adam

wrote in message 
news:1123856642.531056.215730@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...

> Well, problem solved. The top nut was undone by holding the shocker
> shaft with a 16'' water pump pliers and using a socket to undo the nut.
> The same can be done using a swan neck ring spanner on the nut and a
> small socket on the shaft.
>
> Now that the strut is out I need Sealey tool SX033 to undo the special
> nut holding the shock aborber at the top. I'm collecting that tool
> tomorrow morning from a motor factors.
>
> Thank you to all those who replied.

 wow! I've never had one of those its vice grips again for me....... never 
fails