John,
Go down to your local VW aftermarket shop. They sell a big piece of cast
iron that you put over the nut and hit with a sledge. Like this:
http://tinyurl.com/644p4

I have seen the splines stripped off the rear axle due to a loose nut. The
axle spins but you go nowhere.
Ken Lewis
http://neksiwel.20m.com/
----- Original Message -----
 Any suggestions on getting something from Home Depot type places that
> will do the job? Is everyong standing on their six foot bars to do this,
> or is there another approach? <g>