Hi all.

If removing the strut bar on a Vanagon with the older style
suspension, (has bolts/nuts holding strut bar to lower control arm),
beware. I snapped a nut off. Easily. The nuts are metal self locking.
2x YO dirt/rust/crud combined with these nuts didn't help IMO.

A few tips:

pre soak nuts with penetrating oil
remove all dirt/crud from the bolt threads prior to removal
take your time.
Possibly alternate working from nut to nut loosening each a little at a time
Possibly work each nut up/down threads slowly until it is removed.

If you snap one, and the bolt totally rusted in place, it's a PITA to
remove IMO.

And....

I'm not totally clear if one has to remove the lower BJ adaptor if
replacing the lower BJ. Pretty sure it doesn't need to be removed.
Don't try removing it (i.e. removing the bolts) if not needed.

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta "Jaco
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/