Front strut shock retaining nuts..

[Max M4X WW]

Hi, Trying to fit some KW shocks and lowering springs to my TDi avant today but having a real problem with the retaining nut.

Its seriously rusty (N reg car, 146k miles) and a blowtorch, stilsons and a big bar are not budging it. If I cut it off will the thread be unusable? Can I get a new nut/cap from anywhere?

Cutting it fine but I really need this sorted by Friday!

My original shock has now burst so they cant go back on the car either way!

Thanks, Max

[driftin jo]

Did you not get new nuts with the new shocks ? I've always got new nuts with new shocks.

I just cut through the cap hammer a screwdriver into the gap and remove with stilsons .
You can't reuse the cap and I wouldn't want to reuse an old rusty one even if I didn't have to cut it to remove it.

[Max M4X WW]

Ok fair enough.

No I didn't get new caps as I got the shocks and springs second hand from a very helpful member on here

I just need new caps then really, I hope my struts are ok underneath the rusted on caps - it looks like dephi struts come with the nuts, as it stands I can justify spending £30 or so on two of these just for the nuts then try and sell them!

The rears have gone on fine after many hours of un-doing very night nuts etc!

[driftin jo]

are the threads 50mm ? if so i have 2 caps you can have , i can post to you tomorrow
.
the s2 is 55mm but i think yours will be 50.

[Max M4X WW]

Mine will be the smallest yes, Are they new? Even if not and in good condition if you could post them special delivery I'd pay for beer + postage no problem!

Thanks

[driftin jo]

one is new, one is old but ok , PM me your address and i will get on it tomorrow
.

[Max M4X WW]

I'm now having problems since I've lowered the car with the shock top nut (the one that requires the tool, not the very top one) coming loose.

After about 30mins of driving its loose and causes a knocking.

I'd buy new nuts and try that but I don't know where to get them!

Cheers

[s2driveruk]

can get them from a dealer easily enough....castle nut.

They should be torqued up but not too high from memory but once tight, they shouldn't work loose that quickly. Are you sure the spring cup is seated properly at the top?

[80andyb]

iv just had the same problem putting my lowering springs on, in the end i used some big molegrips (not sure if thats spelt right)and a cloth round the piston of the shock to stop it from spinning then used a hammer and screwdriver to tap it tight.
worked a treat