GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: mark-mk3gti on 29 August 2011, 13:32
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Hi all,
Cos it was raining I thought I'd nip out and have a crack at cracking the front strut top bolts just so I know I can do em ok tommorrow if weather is good.
Tried a few times but not budging!
So was gonna try wd40 but didn't have any so tried some lubricating oil in a can,
Had another crack at it and i thought it came free,
But instead the Alan key has cracked! :( :sick: :sick:
(http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/mark3gti/Golf%20Mk3%20GTI%208v/ee6ae87a.jpg)
Obviously I've stopped as soon as I realised, but now I'm wondering what the hell I can do,
Gonna get some wd40 and soak them all loads, but this one is now gonna be a prob,
Was thinking maybe tryin to get another nut on top the same size then getting someone to have a go with a impact socket but thinking it's not gonna come undun,
Gutted cos wanted it done for action! :( :( now it ain't gonna happen,
Anyone got any ideas?
Cheers
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I used an impact wrench on mine to loosen the nut.. Once its loosened off a bit then use a spanner and allen key to undo !!
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Yeah, have get someone to do it for me, bit of a bugger cos doesn't the strut bit just spin with the nut?
I didnt think they would be so tight, as previous owner changed springs before I got it, but guess that was nearly 2years ago,
Gutted won't be done for weekend now,
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You will probably need to replace the shocks now as well, i think winding a nut on and off those threads could be difficult.
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You will probably need to replace the shocks now as well, i think winding a nut on and off those threads could be difficult.
Yeah got shocks and springs to fit all round, but obviously now I'm stuck cos I don't have an impact wrench, think my dad might thou, but it's just getting it to him now before weekend, which is what I wanted, guess I'll have to just fit at a later date when Ive got more time, bugger, lol
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doesn't the strut bit just spin with the nut?
Yeah it does but the initial shock of the impact wrench on the nut will normally be enough to move the nut a few mm without the strut moving. Then use a spanner and allen key to stop the strut moving while you undo the nut.
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You need one of these :-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wolf-12v-square-drive-Impact-Wrench-Kit-/370472473941?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item5641e15555
Iv'e done a few of these.Last one's i did were a real pig.I had to use a blowlamp to heat the nuts up to get them off.Ended up destroying my impact wrench though :laugh: .
Do'nt forget you will need to reset your camber as well :- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gunson-Trakrite-Magnetic-Camber-Castor-Gauge-/270794682088?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f0c9eeee8
If you happen to have a spare pair of top plates and 2 x new top nuts you could bend the old top plates upwards enough so that they will pull through.An angle grinder may also come in handy. :laugh:
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You need one of these :-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wolf-12v-square-drive-Impact-Wrench-Kit-/370472473941?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item5641e15555
Iv'e done a few of these.Last one's i did were a real pig.I had to use a blowlamp to heat the nuts up to get them off.Ended up destroying my impact wrench though :laugh: .
Do'nt forget you will need to reset your camber as well :- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gunson-Trakrite-Magnetic-Camber-Castor-Gauge-/270794682088?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f0c9eeee8
If you happen to have a spare pair of top plates and 2 x new top nuts you could bend the old top plates upwards enough so that they will pull through.An angle grinder may also come in handy. :laugh:
That's an interesting thought, bend it ans pull it through! :)
The kit I've got has mk2 top mounts on, so i need to recover the top mounts or I could buy 2new ones tommorrow, just have to check if those top plates are the same,
If u buy top mounts do them plates cone with em?
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If you are replacing the struts then just drill it out, 9mm drill bit straight down the middle about 35mm deep, then use a chisel and hammer to shear off the nut, simples :wink:
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Nip down to the nearest tyre bay and get them to stick their air gun on it. Will be off in seconds and then replace for the new shockers :wink:
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im having exactly the same dramas at the mo.
mine dont look as bad as yours but my drill is on charge right now so i can butcher the bastids off lol
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I do'nt think mk2 top plates are the same.They do'nt come with new top mounts either.
Another tip :laugh:.
Drill through the side of the nut and break it away from the shaft.It's easier than drilling the shaft.
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I do'nt think mk2 top plates are the same.They do'nt come with new top mounts either.
Another tip :laugh:.
Drill through the side of the nut and break it away from the shaft.It's easier than drilling the shaft.
Sounds like a good idea! Got my drill on charge, got some drills, but no chisel, but got hammers and big screw drivers! :) May have a go at that! If weather is good tommorrow I'll be up at 8, leave me time to get it done cos it's my daily!
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i had the same problem, the struts we're being binned so a set of stilsons round the shaft and and a mate on a spanner on the top nut soon had them off :smiley:
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Easy peasy this is the way^^^^^^^
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i had the same problem, the struts we're being binned so a set of stilsons round the shaft and and a mate on a spanner on the top nut soon had them off :smiley:
+1 This is exactly what i would do.
Put the drill away, and try this method first.
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i had the same problem, the struts we're being binned so a set of stilsons round the shaft and and a mate on a spanner on the top nut soon had them off :smiley:
+1 This is exactly what i would do.
Put the drill away, and try this method first.
Not sure, had a look at nut and not much to drill at, so thinking of going to a tyre place in morning and getting em to have a crack at it, soaked in wd40 now for what it is worth, would being driving 5mins with nuts loose, but just have to take it easy,
That and I don't have any stilsons,
Would love to sort em tommorrow, so will keep updated! :) my dad has air ratchet but he is working, so may have to wait a few days till I'm off again when he is..
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Do not drive it with the nuts loose, when you steer the car they could come off!!
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i had the same problem, the struts we're being binned so a set of stilsons round the shaft and and a mate on a spanner on the top nut soon had them off :smiley:
+1 This is exactly what i would do.
Put the drill away, and try this method first.
Not sure, had a look at nut and not much to drill at, so thinking of going to a tyre place in morning and getting em to have a crack at it, soaked in wd40 now for what it is worth, would being driving 5mins with nuts loose, but just have to take it easy,
That and I don't have any stilsons,
Would love to sort em tommorrow, so will keep updated! :) my dad has air ratchet but he is working, so may have to wait a few days till I'm off again when he is..
You can do it with mole grips also if you got any
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+1 mole grip will also work, just a bit more messy :grin:
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+1 mole grip will also work, just a bit more messy :grin:
I am fairly new to working on cars, so don't have much, may pick some grips up thou, maybe worth a try, but could be tricky on my own! Lol
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going to get mole grips now, and have another try, if it doesnt work, will have to try when i can get to my dads with his air ratchet :)
will let y'all know.. :)
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Epic fail!
Tried my hardest with mole grips and the tw@t kept turning!
Majorly gutted, gonna have to wait until I can get my dad to help with with some strOng tools,
I had a crack at undoing lower nut/bolts but they were solid aswell,
Have a set of bolts so they'll get the grinder treatment I think! :evil:
Think I'll pick up a pair of top mounts and plates as well just incase we have to cut through em to get shocks out..
Looks like it's on stilts for action! :( but gutted but that's life!
Cheers for input!
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Had exactly the same problem with one of my old struts!
Air tools are the only way!
Used and air gun with mole grips on the shaft under, wedged against the wheelarch.
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Had exactly the same problem with one of my old struts!
Air tools are the only way!
Used and air gun with mole grips on the shaft under, wedged against the wheelarch.
Yeah Len, thats what's gonna happen now, just not for a few weeks, Cos I work shifts so have to wait now till I'm off at weekends again, had to book all this weekend off just to be able to go action, missus isnt happy cos we dont get much time together as it is, and to her I've wasted a weekend off, lol,
How annoying! Especially as it's only 2years of tightness, Cos the previous owner had changed the springs just before i got it, so god knows what they are like when originals.
Thou i am tempted to get new top plates and just grind the top plate so it'll fall through, as I have replacement nuts,
Gonna check on etka for part numbers to see how much they are, or if I spot any at action! Perhaps you'll have a look with me so I can get the right ones! Lol!
Gonna be gr8 meeting people and putting faces to names! ;)
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They may not come undone as the threads have split.
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They may not come undone as the threads have split.
only on 1 side,
think ill be getting some top plates, just incase it wont undo, then ill cut the top plate up so itll go through the hole and remove like that.
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Shame you wern't a bit closer otherwise i'd be over to give them some therapy :evil:
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Shame you wern't a bit closer otherwise i'd be over to give them some therapy :evil:
Lol, cheers mate!!
To be fair I'd drive to yours, your not a million miles away! :)
Have u got a lockup or a garage? :)
I'm definitely feeling it's gonna be a grinder job now, couple of cuts on top plate, couple of cuts through the lower bolts and rip them gits out!
Gonna pick some top plates up from action all being well! :)
Got bolts with the kit I got, just not top plates,.,,
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Do you want some help?, I am only up the road and have tool's but it would have to be after work about 6 let me know .
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Havn't got a garage but got access to my works which is a boat builders so got the tools,plus the boss is a vw nut ,if you want mate your more than welcome to come down ,normally free after 5 give us a pm
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grinder!!!!!!
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Have ground away the top plates and smacked em through with a hammer.
Could cut the spring away in sections then grind the shaft of the shock and get mole grips or a spanner on it.
I personally think the easiest way is go to any garage drop em a fiver and get them to impact them off.
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I personally think the easiest way is go to any garage drop em a fiver and get them to impact them off.
Yep, spot on, much easier.
Yeah, it could be worth a try, would be quicker than waiting to get to my dads, just the damaged one could cause problems...
Do you want some help?, I am only up the road and have tool's but it would have to be after work about 6 let me know .
Havn't got a garage but got access to my works which is a boat builders so got the tools,plus the boss is a vw nut ,if you want mate your more than welcome to come down ,normally free after 5 give us a pm
Cheers fellers! Really apreciate the offers!! Wont be this week now cos workin wed,thurs then going action f,s,s but hope to do somet m,t,w if u fancy a bash maybe? Will msg wen back from weekend!
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I have the same problem going on right now over here in America. The individual that installed the front struts on my MK3 Golf sport project car used an a$$ load of blue thread locker on them and I stripped both 7mm allen spots. Using the "spanner" and 22mm socket method. I had luck with one side using my impact gun (a must have if you are a DIY guy)and a locking plier on the shaft in the wheel well. I am currently working on drilling the nut on the other side off of the shaft. I am a little un sure though do I need to compress the springs before removing the nut? I have not removed either yet as I am unsure if I need to and my compressor tool is being shipped and should arrive tomorrow. Along with my brand new suspension!
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If you are taking the nut off whilst the car is still on the ground nothing will move until you jack it up.If it's already jacked up with wheel off only the strut will drop through the hole to take up any movement available on the lower arm.There is still another nut to undo once you get the strut away from the car,that's the one that holds the pressure on the spring.
I always undo that one as well before i jack the car up,makes it easier later,just do'nt take that one all the way off :smiley:
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due to the damage you will need a new strut as i did when i done mine the same way. as this was the case i got a pair of steel-sons on the strut tight and a breaker bar and socket on the nut you may need to pin the steel-sons into position and undo the nut. will be tight but it works done both fronts this way.
good luck
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I do have it up on jack stands and wheels off. What you are telling me is exactly what I figured I was looking at. Just like the rear except the rear had collapsed springs. I have replacement springs and struts on the way; due for delivery tomorrow along with replacement hardware. Thanks very much for your help.
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All done. Too easy.
I did bend a socket wrench on the lower bolts on the steering knuckle. I couldnt find my 18mm impact socket or a reducer to 3/8" so I used a pipe and a wrench and bent the hell out of it. I didnt strip anything though.:) I would suggest hitting the knuckle with a hammer to loosen every thing up first.
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Do'nt forget to reset your camber :wink: