Author Topic: Cut rear strut bolt...good idea or bad news?  (Read 5351 times)

September 24, 2010, 11:04:57 am

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Cut rear strut bolt...good idea or bad news?
« on: September 24, 2010, 11:04:57 am »
I've spent a few days working at a seized lower rear strut bolt. I've soaked it in PB Blaster. I've heated it. I've cooled it. I've yelled at it. I've tried impact wrenches and breaker bars...but it won't budge. I haven't stripped it yet, but it's showing wear ;)

I'm thinking of running a reciprocating saw down through the bushing and cutting the bolt. Think that will work, or will I just go through a pack of metal blades and  be left with a compromised bolt?

I'm swapping in an entire new rear suspension so I don't need to save any parts, just get the old one out.

Jer
1993 AAZ Jetta ~280k

Reply #1September 24, 2010, 05:32:55 pm

Shaggy0911

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Re: Cut rear strut bolt...good idea or bad news?
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2010, 05:32:55 pm »
I guess a reciprocating saw with a metal blade should get through that thing without issue.  I've used cutoff wheels before and sawalls when needed.  I'm from the North, eh.  ;) Whatever you can do to get it off is the way to go, thing is, it may be welded to shaft inside the bushing.  Had that problem with a control arm the other day and it was a real pita. 

Reply #2September 25, 2010, 04:47:51 am

catlin_cava

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Re: Cut rear strut bolt...good idea or bad news?
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2010, 04:47:51 am »
SAWSALLLL  ;D



It will owkr :P
Catlin

2012 VW Golf 2.5 5speed Deep Black Pearl
1999.5 VW Jetta TDI Bosch .216mm injectors and Malone stage 2, soon 11mm pump and vnt 22(parked for the winter)
2010 VW Golf City 2.0L "Hers"

Reply #3September 26, 2010, 04:31:32 am

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Re: Cut rear strut bolt...good idea or bad news?
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2010, 04:31:32 am »
Follow up.

It worked. The saw barely fit in the wheel well. I had to put the blade and the saw in separately, then connect them in position. Even then, the blade was flexing quite a bit.  It would have been easier on a lift.

The nuts and bolts had become one. The undersides of the heads and the bolt shafts were clean. Probably could have dremeled the nut, knocked it off, and pulled out the bolt. But sawing was pretty fun ;)

1993 AAZ Jetta ~280k

Reply #4September 26, 2010, 05:06:52 am

theman53

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Re: Cut rear strut bolt...good idea or bad news?
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2010, 05:06:52 am »
Those kind I usually put my wrench on and pull untill they twist off. The bolt looks surprisingly good. Glad you got it off and with no other causualties.

Reply #5September 27, 2010, 10:19:53 am

Quantum TD

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Re: Cut rear strut bolt...good idea or bad news?
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2010, 10:19:53 am »
Make sure you goop up the new bolts with plenty of Anti-Seize (just the shafts, not the threads)