<<
> Uwe, I even tried tapping the nut loose by hiting the slot with a screwdriver
> and hammer to no avail.  That thing was on there really tight (at least on my
> car).Any attempts at breaking it loose with a socket (even while holding the
> shaft stationary with a clamp) were also unsuccessful.  Anyone else have
> trouble with this?

Are you taking about the nut that holds the strut bearing in place?

If so, use some liquid wrench or WD-40 and let it sit for a bit.
I mounted the whole strut unit in a vise with wooden jaws to hold it
firmly.

Get a 1/2 drive 22mm deep well socket and hit the hamdel with a hardened
or hard rubber mallet using quick sharp blows.  This should pop it loose
and allow you to remove it.  I had the same problem on one of mine and this
technique did the trick.>>

The VR6 struts bearings do not use a "slotted" nut.  There are two fasteners:
an upper and lower, and both are 22mm.  The slotted nut is used only with
stock A2 strut bearings, which should be replaced with the infinitely better
modular VR6 units.
BTW, there are two designs of the lower nut.  The one with the shoulder is
installed *above* the rubber bushing.  The earlier design nut without the
shoulder can be installed either way.

Todd
Air & Water
VW Tuning
Philadelphia