bearing/damper housing top cap tightening tool

[dub-disaster]

Right,
  what's the correct tool to torque up the top caps of the damper housing ? And where can i get it from??

[scotsjohn]

Usually a C-Spanner of the right Dia. for external caps, but gentle tapping round with a soft metal drift usually gets them into place.

[dub-disaster]

Usually a C-Spanner of the right Dia. for external caps, but gentle tapping round with a soft metal drift usually gets them into place.

are we talking about the same top caps?? I can't see how you could use a c-scanner as its completely round and smooth its got what looks like a large hex cut into the top but i can't see how you would use a hex key as the damper rod/piston would be protruding from the hole.

[dub-disaster]

ok ive made a tool now out of a driled out nut and some 6mm bright steel 

[hayesey]

a vice

[prankstar2003]

Stilsons

[cheys03]

a vice

This!
What's the correct torque? Bastard tight.
Are you worried about a few dents from the jaws? Fuck no.
Vice it is then!

[Jaco2a]

Stilsons

x2

[gavin.starr]

Im about to throw everything around the garage in a min, that little castellated nut at the top of the strut will not move.

Is there any other way than gas torching through the strut rod to get the strut out of the suspension arm. Im trying to get my new TA technics suspension on. and so far not so good.

Im getting seriously fecked off so and ideas. Ive tried a set of good pipe grip pliers on the large nut that has been mentioned above but that wont budge either.

 

[PeteG40]

i've used a chain whip and a rubber mallet before. digs in well for the cup to get the damper out.

As for the castle nuts... i recommend the proper tool and done on the car with it on the floor!

[scotsjohn]

Laser do a cheapo socket for VW/Audi castelated nuts, but not a good fit iirc. If you're fitting new inserts, cut the old rod with an angle grinder; job done. You'll still have to shift the top caps on the struts though and if you cant find any key points for a c-spanner then as suggested, delicate use of a stilson

[gavin.starr]

Done it I set fire to the bugger. New insert in fitted and installed to the car.

Now to get on with the other side.

[hayesey]

I cut through the piston rod with an angle grinder once when I couldn't move the castle nut.

[youngprodigys]

you can make a castle nut from a thin spark plug socket as it has the hex on the top - it shows you how to in the haynes manual!

[Robin]

I cut through the piston rod with an angle grinder once when I couldn't move the castle nut.

LOL!

Now that doesn't suprise me!

I am battling with the castelated nut on one of my dampers, the fucker is being a right arse, had to destroy as much of the top mount as i could to get the vice jaws on it.