Date:         Sun, 9 Sep 2012 16:56:27 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Radius Rod (strut) Newbs: Clean First!
Comments: To: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAB2RwfibKGGRqfue5S+j003ehZxR2U1zmMzwrRF0EWsGw=686A@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Electric impact wrenches tend to big, clumsy, and most are not variable
speed/torque. If you're going to work on your own vehicle long term a 2 to5
horse compressor and some air tools become a great investment. You can start
out with cheapie air tools and work your way up as skills and needs dictate.
I have impacts and speed wrenches in various sizes/torque ranges. Just being
able inflate tires and blow off parts after cleaning justify the investment.


Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
neil n
Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2012 4:12 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Radius Rod (strut) Newbs: Clean First!

Never used an impact wrench before.

Pretty sure someone posted of an electric stand alone wrench. But then I
could use a compressor for stuff like that..... and leak down tests.
     ;^)

My fear is that even after practicing on mock fasteners, using an impact
wrench, I'd snap something like one of the 3 lock nuts on an old style
radius rod.

Neil.

On 9/9/12, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Impact and heat (torches) make removing those bolts easy. They should
> always be replaced. Note they were originally grade 10.9 and fine
> thread. I still get them from the dealer when possible to make sure of
> getting the right stuff.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of neil n
> Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2012 2:11 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Radius Rod (strut) Newbs: Clean First!
>
> Hi all.
>
> Am enjoying my foray into the newer style front end. Well, mostly
> enjoying.    ;^)
>
> Last night, with a tired but determined mind, I made slow progress
> getting the radius rod outer nut off. It doesn't have far to travel
> but combine that lock nut with thread crud and a long wrench, it felt
> like it might snap!
>
> Cleaning the large portion of threads is obvious, but take a minute to
> clean the threads at rod end BEFORE turning that nut.
>
> Was using penetrating fluid, and turning the nut back may have helped,
> (as it did with the inner nut) but a minute with a wire wheel likely
> made the bigger difference.
>
> The older style radius rod also has these big nuts but of note, take
> the time to clean the threads at the lower 3 bolt threads. Image, new
> nuts
> installed:
>
> https://sites.google.com/site/tubaneil2/RadiusArmNuts.jpg
>
> Those nuts are also lock nuts. Turn each a bit at a time.
>
> You REALLY don't want this: (image of my '81 radius rod nuts):
> https://sites.google.com/site/tubaneil2/RadiusArmSnappedBolt.jpg
>
>
>
> Neil.
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> 65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly  http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
>
> '88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.
>
> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-
> engine
> s
>
>


--
Neil n

65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly  http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp

'88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.

'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engine
s