Damper cap removal tool?

[Yertis]

I'm about to replace the springs on some struts and need to obtain some kind of special long-reach 'socket' tool to unscrew the damper retaining cap, which has a 33mm hex cutaway. So the tool needs an external 33mm hex drive, and to be about a foot long. I don't know what this tool is called, so can't find it. Can anyone tell me?

(Apparently I 'could' use a pipe wrench but I'd rather buy the proper gear.)

[TwinKam]

What's the application?

[Yertis]

It's the MacPherson struts on an '88 Audi Quattro

[TwinKam]

My memory doesn't stretch back that far (besides which, we Escort boys had our heads firmly in the sand at the time!) so I can't envisage the set-up, but at 33mm it sounds like the big 'gland' nut that holds the damper insert into the strut tube... Certain Vauxhalls of that era used to have that arrangement and we used to hold the flats (of the gland nut) in a vice and turn the strut, often by means of a long bar through the centre of the hub. That certainly damages the nut less than using 'Stillsons' or similar.
You could try searching for 'suspension gland nut tool'.

Edited by TwinKam on Tuesday 25th July 15:57

[Grenadier_45]

This thread any help to you? https://www.s2forum.com/forum/technical/suspension... if only for knowing what you're looking for... Hmm - the link didn't work - too long - TinyUrl: https://tinyurl.com/2xdn48xu

Edited by Grenadier_45 on Tuesday 25th July 16:13

[Yertis]

Grenadier_45 said:

This thread any help to you? https://www.s2forum.com/forum/technical/suspension... if only for knowing what you're looking for... Hmm - the link didn't work - too long - TinyUrl: https://tinyurl.com/2xdn48xu

Thanks – I found that S2 info a bit earlier and have now deduced what it is I need. Managed to track one down too, which is easier said than done!

Thanks everyone.

[wildoliver]

The inserts usually come with a new top cap. A set of stilsons with the damper gently clamped in a vice has always worked on Audi and 924 top caps for me and I must have done dozens of 80/90/coupe and c4 a6 struts. Never had the special tool. In the days before an impact gun the top mount nut was the challenge (overcome with a lambda probe socket and allen key).