scruffie

jUST my 2 bits If I was going to attempt to remove this nut & it was spinning Id try to use a small cutoff wheel & cut the nut on the flat[s] not quite thru & then split it with a cold chisel [NOT a CHEAP ONE] or 2 if you have acess to a nut splitter & it will fit U could use that, 3 find allen key or torq bit that has an inteferance fit & drive it into place to hold the shaft & then turn the nut off with a wrench.As i said just my 2 bits worth [advice is free discount accordingly] S

Randy 5ks

Put some heat on it, not alot.

Get a burnzomatic propane heat kit ($under 15).

Heat it for a couple of minutes, and PRESTO ! it will come loose.

These are a must for living is salty, (NE) states.

Don't worry you won't be able to heat it up enought to hurt anything. Watch out for the fuel filter, put a wood block in front of it, or just be careful.

Bloodred86

Umm..Dont take out the middle bolt unless ou want an explosion. the spring is under alot of pressure and will blow out if you releaser the middle one.

ITs the 3 outside bolts that hold it to the car, and 1 or 2 by the wheel. take those off.

birdmanmt

you have to take the three outer's and the big inner one off too.

RussB

It allows strut insert, strut mount, gaiter, and bump stop replacement while keeping strut and spring in place.

a-talk

Haven't had the time to tackle my front struts yet, but I had no idea this was possible. So what will be holding the top of the spring then?

RussB

Look carefully at the top of your 5000's front strut towers. The strut mount is a smaller diameter than the spring mount (not sure that this is correct term).


From center outward:

The strut shaft is retained by the large nut in question;
The strut mount is retained by three nuts (in slotted holes) in a small circle;
The spring mount is retained by three (or is it four?) more nuts in a larger circle.


Cautions:

o I've personally only replaced my 5000CSTQ's gaiters, bump stops, and strut mounts -- not the strut inserts.

o Not all Audi models use this nice mount. Others, such as the 90, have a simpler (cheaper) mount.

Will Ng

Also try to put the car back on its wheels so the springs get depressed and the springs aren't loading the nuts. But since you mentioned the shaft spins as you try to loosen the nut, then the load isn't too bad.

If you're replacing the strut insert too...try clamping the shaft with a pipe wrench between the coils. Wrecking the shaft is not a concern then.

Mister Bally

Since I was replacing my strut inserts and one of those nuts wouldn't budge, I clamped Vice Grips to the shock shaft in the wheel well. It lodged onto the body and ye olde breaker bar broke the nut free.

a-talk

as there is usually that "cap" that holds it in. I would imagine access to that cap would be pretty difficult with the strut in. Something to chew on though.