OK. I'm embarrased to even be asking this, but I hope someone can give me a tip here.

I need to change a glow plug. When loosening that little nut that holds the wire onto the plug, the wire rotates along with the nut. It's seized *solid*, and I mean solid. It's like it's welded on there. I can't get a screwdriver between the nut and the wire. I tried penetrating oil.

After trying to get it off without breaking the wire, I gave up and decided to ask how you guys are doing this.

So how to get that damned nut off without twisting the wire off?

- Patrick

__________________
1982 240D. 198k, Marine Blue/Blue, 4 Speed, Crank Windows, No Sunroof, No Rust, No Oil Leaks
2001 TDI. 197k, Lagoon Blue/Black, 5 speed, Chip, G60/VR6

I would cut it a few inches at least from that nut, then use a connector that has shrink-tube, or just a connector and buy some shrink tube and heat it on over that. It's a red connector I think, but blue would work too.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, just thought of the obvious! You need to get the nut out of the way in order to get the socket on. Got a good pair of wire snips?

This is what I would do to get the job done! Some might elect to another way so I'll just back off here and see what others might do differently........................

PatrickW
I had to chuckle while reading your post . . . if I felt embarrased every time I had to ask for help on these rare glitches my face would be constantly red. I like the offered solution if you have sufficient wire . . .

Keep us posted with your progress and which way you solve the problem. My glow plugs will be coming up soon though I believe the configuration is slightly different.
Steve

__________________
Steve
'87 300TD - 132K - Soon 4-Sale
'84 300D Turbo - 122K - Driving
'77 VW Type II - 77K - Restored
'08 250EX Ninja
English Bulldog (Brier) - My best friend. Passed away 12/02/04 while in my arms.

I went back out there to try again, thinking that it just *can't* be that hard.

Sprayed it down with DeOxIt, tried holding the wire with needle-nose vise-grips while turning the nut, and then tried loosening the nut as much as I dared and then trying to force one of the wife's good kitchen knife blades between it.

No dice...

- Patrick

__________________
1982 240D. 198k, Marine Blue/Blue, 4 Speed, Crank Windows, No Sunroof, No Rust, No Oil Leaks
2001 TDI. 197k, Lagoon Blue/Black, 5 speed, Chip, G60/VR6

If you're planning to change that GP, I'd suggest just cutting the nut off from the plug with a sawzall. Then you can get your socket on it and get rid of it once and for all.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

If you are putting a new GP in, then why care about whether you brake the threaded GP tip off or not? If you can get the wire off, even with the nut still attached, you can put a vise grip on the thread and wrench the nut off thus saving the wire.

TIP
To ensure that nothing falls into the GP hole, use a shop vacuum to suck up any loose sand etc, that maybe sitting around the GP before you remove it.