"How have you been doing the gland nut?"
I usually do it first, while everything is attached, using a pipe wrench as you said. But this last one would not budge, even with a 30" cheater pipe in the wrench handle.

I plan to take it completely out on my next attempt, so I can used a torch without toasting the boot. I may buy IPD's new tool too, but have heard it doesn't fit thru spring coils with ratchet attached (not a problem with spring off). And some gland nuts don't have those square notches. KYB's for example are just "flats", like an 8-sided nut.

"What do you mean, pay more for what inserts? Oh, you mean paying more and buying good ones?

Exactly. IMO, these bargains remind me of Autozone's "Lifetime" guaranteed alternators and starters — for the rest of your life you'll be going back annually for the "free" replacement.
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Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current) — 240s (one V8) — 140s — 122s — since '63.