Wishbone Bolts

[dtjames 0]

Any advice on how to get bolts that have sheared (the front wishbones) out, so the replacement can take place?

 

Apparently, an engineer is coming out to look at it tomorrow - will he get them out do you think?

 

Please help if you can offer assistance,

 

Cheers,

 

David

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Which ones have sheared? Rear ones or front ones?

 

If the rear ones have sheared, you may have to cut out the captive nuts on the floorpan. This involves lifting the carpet, removing the large access grommets, cutting out the nuts complete with sheared bolts and then welding new captive nuts in.

 

If the front bolts have sheared, then you can always try an 'easy-out' drill kit but I wouldn't hold out much hope on it working. They're pretty hit and miss.

 

Kev

[dtjames 0]

It is the front ones that have sheared and the "engineer" is coming out to the garage to try to remove them.

 

I think only 1 has sheared ATM, but the mechanic has looked at the other one and reckons that that one will go too.

 

Fingers crossed someone can help me out here

 

:?

[spoier 0]

Good luck with it friend, sheared bolts are the most awful thing to deal with in all of car world IMO. Invest in some really good penetrant (PB Blaster rules) and use it when taking stuff apart to prevent more heartache in the future

 

Skye

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Are they releasing the bolts with an airgun or a long wrench?

 

It is preferable to use an airgun as the hammer action not only loosens ingressed rust, it eases the bolt out gradually.

 

What a PIA. I've been there with engine bolts, but never subframe bolts in 13 years of VW ownership. Your car didn't live in a seaside resort at some stage in it's life did it? The salty air/mists can really rust up the subframe. I've seen a MK2 GTI that used to tow a boat and the constant in and out of the water completely destroyed the rear axle and subframe.....not nice.

 

Kev

[dtjames 0]

-:UPDATE:-

 

1 side has been completed by my mechanic, claiming that it took him all day to extract the sheared bolt.

 

He now want the car back for a whole day to do the other side - am I being ripped off here? Should I take th car elsewhere to have the other side done?

[CorradoVR6-Turbo 0]

getting seized bolts in an awkward place like that is a time consuming job but shouldn't take all day (depending on skill level) but at the end of the day its got to be done so let him just get on with it then the sooner you will have your C back :D

[Kevin Bacon 5]

I can vouch for the time wasted on removing problem bolts! I had to pay an extra 3 hours labour to stealth during my suspension change because one of the crappy Trilock wheel bolts rounded off. 3 hours, 2 drills, and a handful of drill bits later, the wheel eventually came off!

 

Kev

[dtjames 0]

I have booked the car into the same garage to do the other side on Tuesday...

 

I'll let you know

 

:D

 

David

[bishthefish 0]

good luck... i lost my locking nut key. managed to get 3 off with someones elses locking nut key, and now have to drill out the last one... arrgh

[exturbo2003 0]

good luck... i lost my locking nut key. managed to get 3 off with someones elses locking nut key, and now have to drill out the last one... arrgh

what type of locking wheel nuts do you have as there is things available cheaply to help

let me know or post a pic and will tell you if they will work, a kit of four is £25 about £9 indervidually

[dtjames 0]

Wishbones changed both sides - waaaaay !

 

I now own a new MOT certificate.

 

-:phew:-

 

:?