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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: Xtrhardcore on 02 August 2012, 12:22

Title: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: Xtrhardcore on 02 August 2012, 12:22
Trying to get the strut out the front, and i cant remove the bloomin bottom bolt?!
I have one side off, any ideas how to get the actual bolt out?

I've tired smashin it out, getting a wrench on it and twisting  but its not moving...

any ideas?
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: dom on 02 August 2012, 12:42
Get a bit of heat on it and then get angry with a hammer :grin:

You could also try jacking the hub up a little to relieve any pressure on the bolt - I'm not sure that there should be any as the bolt just slips through, but it'd be worth a try.
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: Xtrhardcore on 02 August 2012, 12:57
i am right in thinking it should just pull out? i dont have to undo it?
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: DunnDeal12 on 02 August 2012, 13:00
what nut are you on about? the one that connects the strut to hub via a 19mm bolt and nut?
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: golfyste on 02 August 2012, 13:45
Get a 1/4" drive ratchet and slot it into the gap aroun the back of te strut and turn it a 1/8 of a turn will will loosen te strut a little then wiggle it and hit te bolt  :smiley:
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: Xtrhardcore on 02 August 2012, 14:18
Tried it all being stubborn! Given up lol, spent 5 hours trying to get the strut out!
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: dom on 02 August 2012, 15:07
i am right in thinking it should just pull out? i dont have to undo it?

Once the nut is off the bolt should just pull out. Once that is out you have to use a hub splitter tool to open up the bottom of the hub enough to allow you to remove the strut
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: golfyste on 02 August 2012, 16:15
i am right in thinking it should just pull out? i dont have to undo it?

Once the nut is off the bolt should just pull out. Once that is out you have to use a hub splitter tool to open up the bottom of the hub enough to allow you to remove the strut

.....1/4" ratchet  :grin:
Works the same  :tongue:
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: dom on 02 August 2012, 17:19
i am right in thinking it should just pull out? i dont have to undo it?

Once the nut is off the bolt should just pull out. Once that is out you have to use a hub splitter tool to open up the bottom of the hub enough to allow you to remove the strut

.....1/4" ratchet  :grin:
Works the same  :tongue:

 :grin: I was just trying to clarify it
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: Xtrhardcore on 03 August 2012, 00:21
Yeah it was just the bolt, managed to get the nut off fine but the bolt just would not budge!
Gunna try again soon, maybe get some heat on it.
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: golfyste on 03 August 2012, 06:25
Try this first...
Use the "hub splitting tool"  :grin:
To open the back of the hub and then use a copper mallet etc and hit the bottom of te strut to try and move it up a little, be site you use a penetrating fluid etc
This might work as the back of the strut has a tab on with a hole in which the bolt passes through and very often the strut move down a tiny little bit and the tab pushes on the threads of the bolt cause it to get stuck

 :smiley:
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: JimBR on 03 August 2012, 09:35
I don't buy all this hub splitter tool rubbish, I've never used one on the golf. Nor on c2's and fiestas which are a similar set up.

Just hammer the hub down with a small lump hammer avoiding the wires, and to refit just jack the hub up and rock the shock and it'll fall in.
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: golfyste on 03 August 2012, 09:41
I don't buy all this hub splitter tool rubbish, I've never used one on the golf. Nor on c2's and fiestas which are a similar set up.

Just hammer the hub down with a small lump hammer avoiding the wires, and to refit just jack the hub up and rock the shock and it'll fall in.

You mean beat it like a monkey?
Il tell you now i have done the suspension twice on mine once while on holiday with limited tools and once at home.
The first time I just beat it and it took loads of effort
The second I put a extension on a 1/4 drive socket put it
In the back, turned it a little To open it and the strut slid out nice and easy.

I work on cars all the time and beating something as hard as Ou can with a lump hammer rather then using your brains is never the way to go about it!
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: JimBR on 03 August 2012, 11:39
Id hardly say its going about it without brains, a few hits and the hub will be low enough to simply lever it down and remove the strut. I cant see what difference it makes.

Each to their own I guess.
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: golfyste on 03 August 2012, 12:06
Id hardly say its going about it without brains, a few hits and the hub will be low enough to simply lever it down and remove the strut. I cant see what difference it makes.

Each to their own I guess.

Well I guess it depends on how easy it move
Took me and my mate about 20min to get his of his Ibiza even with splitting the hub.
And it's definatly not a easy task without it on my golf.

I didn't mean it's not using brains whatsoever it's just if it doesn't
Move hit it harder and harder isnt the best idea.
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: JimBR on 03 August 2012, 12:21
Well that goes without saying  :grin:

The couple of golf's I've done have been fine which is why splitting it isn't necessarily needed in my opinion. If your struggling then obviously go for it.
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: golfyste on 03 August 2012, 12:22
Well that goes without saying  :grin:

The couple of golf's I've done have been fine which is why splitting it isn't necessarily needed in my opinion. If your struggling then obviously go for it.

Hmmmm I may just have a smaller hammer  :laugh:

Any updates on the job?
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: Xtrhardcore on 06 August 2012, 09:56
Tired again yesterday but still no luck! that bolt will jut not move, and nor will the strut! loooking to get a 'splitter' tool now. hopefully be here by next week :grin:
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: golfyste on 06 August 2012, 09:59
Tired again yesterday but still no luck! that bolt will jut not move, and nor will the strut! loooking to get a 'splitter' tool now. hopefully be here by next week :grin:

 :laugh:
As I said mate once You split the back try hitting the strut up as the tab may be pushing on the thread of the bolt.
Report back on how you get on!
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: DunnDeal12 on 06 August 2012, 10:08
Tired again yesterday but still no luck! that bolt will jut not move, and nor will the strut! loooking to get a 'splitter' tool now. hopefully be here by next week :grin:

you sprayed any WD40 on it first?
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: Xtrhardcore on 06 August 2012, 11:07
Yeah its been caked in WD :)
Yeah i will lads dont worry! will give that ago this weekend!
Title: Re: lower strut mount bolt help?!
Post by: Xtrhardcore on 08 September 2012, 10:21
Still no good spent another 5 hours on this! I can not get this strut out! Any advice?