quattro.pilot

I never did find a true Drag Link socket. So what I did was buy a large cole chisel and a File, then ground down the tip of the chisel until it fit nicely in the X-plug slot. But yea even with this shaping I couldn't undo the original plug...**** me off.

ah well back to the drawing board

kday

I tried the route of grinding a tool and turning it, didn't have any luck either. A screwdriver against the side of one of the 'X' grooves at an oblique angle hit with a hammer did the trick.

UrScubed

YMMV, but using the correct tools among other things has allowed me to reuse every X-plug I've extracted, so I'm just buying o-rings instead of the entire plug.

Charlie Smith's page has a NAPA part number for a drag link socket (NAPA part # NB-95). That's what I use, but it doesn't come up as a good number on Napa's site (www.napaonline.com), which isn't a good sign.

<a href="http://www.elektro.com/~audi/hydraulic/">Charlie's Hydraulic leaks writeup</a>

However, Snap-on has what looks to be exactly the same tool (3/8 drive, 11/16 wide drag link socket)
<img src="http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/41800/41725.JPG">
It's available online at:

<a href="http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=54361&group_ID=255& store=snapon-store&dir=catalog">Snap-on drag link socket</a>

Another option is the factory tool- I haven't used this, but it should make it easier to get the proper torque on the X plug when you're reinstalling it.
<img src="http://www.samstagsales.com/images/pp51-211-300x.jpg">
I have trouble keeping the drag link socket square while trying turn it, but it hasn't been worth $46.50 plus shipping to find out if this works any better. Search for PP 51-211-300 on the page below.

<a href="http://www.samstagsales.com/vwaudi.htm">Samstag Sales VW &amp; Audi tools page</a>

The other thing you'll need is an impact driver- I don't use mine often, but it's one of those tools where when you need it, you really need it. The Craftsman one I have is item # 00947641000. For about $25, it's a good thing to have in your tool box. Link to Sears' site below.

<a href="http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00947641000">Craftsman impact driver</a>

c4S6

Yup. It isn't glamorous, but seems like a BFF (big f'ing flathead) and a hammer does the trick.

popdemonic

no any socket drag link necessary .i've just replaced x plug 2 weeks ago.screwdriver+hammer+torque 'd work fine.the o-ring is the seal for this case.

quattro.pilot

k, thanks All. I'll give it a go