Tool to remove strut tops?

[Mk1Mad J - 16v]

I bought a deep socket the right size, grinded off 2 sides and whacked an adjustable spanner round it, with an allen key going down the middle.

Home made tools are the best kind 

Nice  - You should see the thing i made to tighten my cam belt, i had to throw it away after 1 use 

[Mirage-]

Cheers guys

The spark plug socket idea looks nice and easy so think I will have to give that a go at the weekend. 

Basically just got this weekend to get as much done as I possibly can before the MOT the weekend after.. fingers crossed but should be ok.

Things I'll be replacing this weekend:

Suspension (Coilovers all round) +top mounts.
Wishbones + poly bushes
Track rod ends
Ball joints
Engine mounts
Brake pipes
Oil/Filter change

And things that I'll be checking:

Wheel bearings!!! (test centres seem to like picking on mk2 golf's for wheel bearings and brake pipes  )

[Mirage-]

Well I tried and failed 

The alan key in the drivers stut top slipped and managed to round off first attempt leaving me with no way of locking it to undo the nut itself.  Tried getting the mole grips on the shaft itself... nice shiny surfaces aren't the best for friction so ended up taking us the full day trying to break the nut.

1 day, 2 screwdrivers, 1 chisel and a great big tapping stick later it finally gave in.

Ball joints replaced, track rod ends replaced, passenger wishbone replaced  and then ran into 1 more little problem. Drivers wishbone rear bush, either I've mixed up the bolts or somethings screwed because it simply don't fit  so gonna have to order a new bolt from VW tomorrow along with new bolts for the bottom ball joints to see if that drops in any better 

[monzablue16v]

Right matey go to the local friendly garage and borrow there air gun loosen it tighten it back up loosely by hand and drive home then remove replace and drive back to the garage to get it nipped back up.

[VeeDubGTI16v]

the rear bush sleeve probably isnt in properly, its a bit fiddly

[Mirage-]

Yeah I'm gonna take the drivers wishbone back out and make sure there's nothing blocking the thread or that the thread isn't knackered and also check the bolt I have is the right fitment before lining it up and trying again.   It wouldn't even go finger tight.. simply didn't start to thread at all so soon as the good 'ol British weather clears up I'll be back under to sort it.

Then again it depends on how stiff I feel in the morning, mate tried taking me to work this morning and we ended up in a head on slide into a 4x4.  Mates 06 plate Focus is pretty mangled and v.minimal damage to the 4x4.  Cost me £10 petrol which I put in for offering me a lift, £5 credit on my mobile to ring insurance companies and such as we were in the middle of a country lane and then to top it off the RAC hired help having asked us where we were going then said he was on orders to take car to Leeds leaving us to get a taxi home in the opposite direction... another £7 and I didn't even make it to work!!! 

Still I suppose  I'm lucky in that it could have easily been me driving my golf this morning had I got it sorted this weekend, that and walking away from a head on with a 4x4.