How just how

[mkmg76]

Thanks mate but honestly it's not that I'm onto something, it's that I had to figure it out and then go buy the particular socket/bit from Snap-On (not cheap) and then cut the end off it with a grinder! It was the only way to get it off without buying the stubby special tool from VW. Think I've used it twice since but it was worth every penny for an easy life!

I think MKMG76 may be on to something there...your spline bit sems very "deep". Shorten it down a bit as he says.

Sorry, but I can't leave the snapon ratchet thing alone just yet...
Went on the snapon site
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=651220&group_ID=683068&store=uk&dir=catalog
£160 for a 1/2" ratchet!?!   

Do you garage lads really pay these prices, or does it just seem cheap on the "never-never?
Either way, it's no wonder snapon give you a guarantee, it should be made of feckin titanium for that price!
Mental!

[grey golfster]

Ive had my rears off the eddy twice now, and no problems...even with no snapon ratchet 

In fact I don't think I have any snapon tools at all...even on my oil/gas rig, which was built in the US.
The few Snapon quality tools that arrived with it have long since "been lost".

Hey, I'm curious, why do VW use these spline drive fastenings, when it appears to me that a normal bolt/machine screw would be appropriate?