Author Topic: rear axle 17mm damper bolt snapped  (Read 2434 times)

Offline xionsolaris

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rear axle 17mm damper bolt snapped
« on: 04 May 2014, 12:29 »
I was going to fit coilovers on my 16v, but the 17mm bolt head has snapped what are my options now. Any help would be appreciated.

Offline itavaltalainen

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Re: rear axle 17mm damper bolt snapped
« Reply #1 on: 04 May 2014, 19:54 »
the bottom one through the strut eye?
where did it snap?
2019 Seat Leon ST FR DSG 135kW - eclipse orange - 23k miles

Offline xionsolaris

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Re: rear axle 17mm damper bolt snapped
« Reply #2 on: 04 May 2014, 20:05 »
Yeh it holds the rear suspension in place. The head of the bolt has come off leaving most of it still in there I can't tap it out as the bolt will hit the side.

Offline thai-wronghorse

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Re: rear axle 17mm damper bolt snapped
« Reply #3 on: 04 May 2014, 20:10 »
You may need to weld another bolt or piece of metal onto the broken one to remove. Chances are the heat from the welding process will also help to loosen the existing one.

Offline xionsolaris

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Re: rear axle 17mm damper bolt snapped
« Reply #4 on: 04 May 2014, 20:19 »
Why does a simple job to into hell. I think I'm Gina have to take it to a garage near work. My home tools won't reach near of getting that bolt out

Offline spikenipple

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Re: rear axle 17mm damper bolt snapped
« Reply #5 on: 04 May 2014, 21:35 »
If there's any bolt sticking out of the shock/trailing arm then grind it flat, centre punch it then drill it with a 6mm drill 10-15mm deep. Heat it up then get a good quality easy-out into it.

What I tend to do before tackling a corroded or seized bolt is hit it hard a few times down it's axis with a copper mallet then apply some torque to it as if to tighten it. If that doesn't free it up (assuming it's not stuck because the head of the bolt is rusted to the mating part) then I heat it up gradually whilst hitting it with the copper mallet. Tends to work on most things.

Offline gasketface

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Re: rear axle 17mm damper bolt snapped
« Reply #6 on: 05 May 2014, 22:09 »
If you are talking about the bolt that goes through the bottom hole on each rear strut then are they not the ones that screw into a captive nut held in place by a metal strap ?.Can you not break the rest out through the round hole ?.

Offline thai-wronghorse

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Re: rear axle 17mm damper bolt snapped
« Reply #7 on: 05 May 2014, 23:36 »
Yeah you may be able to smash the end off inside the end of the beam with a cold chisel.

Offline andy_k

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Re: rear axle 17mm damper bolt snapped
« Reply #8 on: 07 May 2014, 09:21 »
Irwin sockets are your friend :)

If you are anywhere near East Sussex, then you are welcome to borrow mine.

Offline xionsolaris

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Re: rear axle 17mm damper bolt snapped
« Reply #9 on: 08 May 2014, 20:01 »
Thanks for your replies, i took it to the garage they cut the nut off, and kept taping the bolt through and cutting it. Cost me £90 that including having the rear coilovers fitted aswell.