Top mounts............

[snifferdog]

Starting to do my head in - I wanted to get the shocks and springs on this week.

I bought a set of shocks and springs (second hand) and cant get the top mounts off!

There is a small circle around the top nut -



I couldnt get any of my spanners in there, a socket went on fine but obviously you need to have an allen key in the top so thats no good. I therefore purchased a deep offset spanner from ebay -



Unfortunately this is too fat for the surround hole and wont go onto the nut!  What the bloody hell am I supposed to use? You lot have all lowered your cars, I thought it was meant to be easy?!  -

[dom]

You could try a set of needle nosed pliers to hold the nut 

[Deano2711]

Your easiest solution would be to compress the spring and then go to your nearest tyre bay with a spark plug socket and a big smile and get then to change the two top mounts for you with an air gun. I used a 12v impact socket with no trouble. Told you you should have come to mine Mate as I am bored stiff as well  

[snifferdog]

Cheers Deano, you off work then? Might end up coming over! But, might just leave these top mounts on and fit em tomorrow.

[boneybradley]

windy gun and a few ££ for new year beer to mr kwikfit f.t.w

[AudiA8Quattro]

There should be allen key cut out on the end of shock shaft, or flats.
I learnt from past experience to crack it off with the weight of the car still on it.

[Deano2711]

Cheers Deano, you off work then? Might end up coming over! But, might just leave these top mounts on and fit em tomorrow.

Yes Mate I am off work till Tuesday....if you want to come over I can give you a hand but you are almost done anyway. I would take the two front shocks to the nearest tyre bay and give them a drink to remove the two mount nuts and then pop on your new spring and top mounts while you're there and get them to tighten them back up. Remove the spring compressors then go home and refit them and job done. However, if you want a hand then feel free to PM me. 

[LowlifeDubber]

Get a spark plug socket that has a hex on the top to get a spanner on.



Then get an allen key that goes into a socket like this.



Then put your socket on get a spanner round the top of it.Then put your allen key socket through the top of the socket and start spanner wanking.

Works everytime.

[Wayne]

Get a spark plug socket that has a hex on the top to get a spanner on.



Then get an allen key that goes into a socket like this.



Then put your socket on get a spanner round the top of it.Then put your allen key socket through the top of the socket and start spanner wanking.

Works everytime.

^^^This worked for me

[MrAnderson93]

+1 best method, isnt this stickied in the maintinence and info or anthing? pretty common problem, and a very simple solution