These forums have saved me a few quid and a lot of time over the last couple of years. I'm hoping someone has experience with this problem.

 

Last week one of the tailgate gas struts went on my 2004 Octavia. Unfortunately it looks as if the bolt that held the strut on to the body has also broken off. You can see the hole left on the photo attached.

I have two new gas struts sitting ready to go but no way to bolt one on to the body.

 

Has anyone managed to fix one of these bolts back on to the body? It looks as if it has fallen behind a panel. I have taken the interior (cream coloured) panel off but can't see how to get access to the bolt.

 

Any help is appreciated.

These forums have saved me a few quid and a lot of time over the last couple of years. I'm hoping someone has experience with this problem.

 

Last week one of the tailgate gas struts went on my 2004 Octavia. Unfortunately it looks as if the bolt that held the strut on to the body has also broken off. You can see the hole left on the photo attached.

I have two new gas struts sitting ready to go but no way to bolt one on to the body.

 

Has anyone managed to fix one of these bolts back on to the body? It looks as if it has fallen behind a panel. I have taken the interior (cream coloured) panel off but can't see how to get access to the bolt.

 

Any help is appreciated.

 

If you are lucky you may just need a ball joint pin P/N 1U6827439A. (which is threaded)

Think it needs screwing into the body if you still have the thread left. If not you could use a nut from the other side of panel to hold a new Ball joint in place.

Cheers. There is a bit of thread left but not enough to hold the ball joint pin. When it popped out, it took some of the threading from one side. 

The logical answer would be to use the nut on the other side like you said. Problem is that I can't see how to access the other side. I have removed the trim inside the back pillar but there is no access there. 

Might need to use some form of adhesive to help lock the pin back in (lock-tite?).  I have a few of these ball studs but I am not sure if they are the right thread.  Think they are M8 thread size.

I can try lock-tite or look for an alternative to fix the ball pin in place. Just need to get access to it though! 

 

Very aware that it's got to be as close to perfect as I can make it - it's a heavy old boot to fall on you!