Pleasant surprise and new torque tool

[rhubarbray]

Ok, I needed to get the gland nut ( bolt?) off and wanted to buy the torque tool but it seems that everyone who has the tools for a decent price is sold out and on backorder. I placed my order but it won't be in until March. I'm not paying CIPs $240.
What I ended up doing was getting one of those cheap gear reduction reaction type torque multipliers. Made a reaction bar and bolted it to two spots on the flywheel. Came off SO easy!

Now, when I was measuring the thermostat on the car I was way over 40mm so figured I had a duff thermostat. After dealing with it being overtightened and seized on the rod I managed to get it off. If was black,...and dripping,...it was filthy. After a lot of cleaning, and picking, and scraping, something looked different. I measured it again,...........35mm! There was so much crap in the bellows pleats it was holding the flap doors open!
Don't need a thermostat! Now just have to test it to make sure.

[FJBLF]

This is what I use, it makes it very easy.


Link

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1972 VW 181 SAFARI 1500 cc GRB Trans-axle

[rhubarbray]

Yep. That's the one I have on order, but as mentioned most places seem to be out of stock except for the most expensive sites. And I needed to get the bolt off now in order to keep going on repairs during the winter to get it ready for spring.

[Heiferman]

Here is an Amazon link to the tool above (Labeled as a "Torque Leverage Tool Compatible With Classic Vw Bug 36mm Axle Nut And Flywheel Gland Nut" if you are searching)

https://www.amazon.com/Torque-Leverage-Compatible-...YsQAvD_BwE