Have the JRZ coilover off the car (broken spring), fairly straightforward.

There are 2 nuts on the centre rod, but I can't think of a good way of stopping the centre rod from spinning? Obviously can't put a socket on the brass piece as this is for adjusting damping and presumably will break if used to stop the centre rod spinning. The centre rod itself is hard to grip and thread will damage if gripped with pliers and there are no straight sides to grip onto.

Pics below:

 

Mole grips on the top of the rod didn't work, but came straight off with an impact gun.

 

Stripped it all down and found one of the plastic collars is cracked through in 2 different places. Am not going to risk leaving it as is, just means car is off the road even longer.

I can't even remember what it feels like to drive it's been that long!

 

I was going to suggest an impact gun.

 

Does the very top of the shaft have a flat spot for a spanner?

 

No flat spot, impact gun worked. Just need to get a hold of some replacement collars now.