Asking here as it applies to all really.

 

I ordered new drop links and ARB bushes for me car recently.

after 2 attempts to get the links off - soaking them in Holts spray on penetrating oil before and during - I have failed!

I got the top end - ARB joint open on the driver side with an allen key and 16mm spanner, but cannot get the bolt to turn on the wishbone end.

have tried it with a 16 mm spanner -  i swear the spanner was starting to bend..

Just tried again, on lunch at work with my vice grip - the head of the bolt just started to feel like it was going to round in the teeth of the grip.

 

No doubt this isn't the first truly stuck bolt to ever exist, so,

what do people recommend to loosen up the bar stewards??

 

need to change the links and bushes or its going to fail its over due NCT...

Plusgas

Acetylene torch - ordinary blowlamp at a pinch if a torch is not available.

Angle grinder, cut them off.

I'll give the Plus gas a shot first - Have a blow torch, but what with the brake lines etc not a million miles away i think ill put off flames for now

 

Read on an Alpha forum a few minutes ago hot veg oil works.... might be getting the deep fryer out tonight!!!

 

cutting them off just means having the bolt still seized in the thread...

Edited 13 October, 201411 yr by mac11irl

You cut the bolt off. Either cut the nut in half and simply knock the two halfs off or slice through the bolt on one side to detach it from the ARB. Last one is a bit more difficult.

 

There is no thread in the ARB its self.

You cut the bolt off. Either cut the nut in half and simply knock the two halfs off or slice through the bolt on one side to detach it from the ARB. Last one is a bit more difficult.

There is no thread in the ARB its self.

Or just get a big hammer!

Plusgas is brilliant stuff.

Its the wishbone end i cant get off though, which is threaded....

 

Im after ringing 2 of 3 local motor factors and neither have even heard of Plusgas?!!

Edited 13 October, 201411 yr by mac11irl

Drop links connect from the ARB to the strut, not to the wish bone. Neither the hole in the strut nor the ARB is threaded, it is attached using a nut on the drop link on either end.

 

Do you have some pictures of what you're trying to get off?

Its the wishbone end i cant get off though, which is threaded....

Im after ringing 2 of 3 local motor factors and neither have even heard of Plusgas?!!

My local builders yard stocks it brilliant stuff

not on a mk1 diesel octy....

 

the drop link connects Wish bone to ARB. ill get a picture

not on a mk1 diesel octy....

the drop link connects Wish bone to ARB. ill get a picture

I thought the mk1 Octy ran this setup :

link -

 

http://buildthreads.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/dsc_0059.jpg

 

except mine isnt the aftermarket Droplink as shown, the standard one is plastic.

its botls directly to wish bone at the bottom, and is connect to the ARB at the top by an allen bolt and nut.

the F'ing wishbone end wont budge.

I thought the mk1 Octy ran this setup :

thats the VRS / 1.8T set up...

 

mines an oil burner Tdi

Plusgas and impact gun?

I apologize whole heatedly. I've never seen that kind of setup (though I'm limited to Ibizas/Fabias/Toyotas/Fords).

 

I've found heat is always good. Had some extremely stiff bolts holding in some brake caliper carriers (my entire weight on them wouldn't shift them) and a gentle heating with a blow torch (gentle as there were rubber boots nearby) shifted them.

I think Amazon might be getting hit later on....

I apologize whole heatedly. I've never seen that kind of setup (though I'm limited to Ibizas/Fabias/Toyotas/Fords).

 

I've found heat is always good. Had some extremely stiff bolts holding in some brake caliper carriers (my entire weight on them wouldn't shift them) and a gentle heating with a blow torch (gentle as there were rubber boots nearby) shifted them.

 

thats alright, when i was ordering my new ones, i had to measure my links, and check i had the right ones picked out about 6 times before i ordered, 

as everywhere i looked for them it kept trying to sell me the long ones off the vRS

thats alright, when i was ordering my new ones, i had to measure my links, and check i had the right ones picked out about 6 times before i ordered,

as everywhere i looked for them it kept trying to sell me the long ones off the vRS

It's hinting that you need to do a TDI VRS build

It's hinting that you need to do a TDI VRS build

 

I considered getting the bumpers and spoiler fitted...

until i realised it was nearly going to cost more than the car is worth at this stage - 10yr old 1.9tdi's are not exactly worth much over here,

and sticking a shmancy bumper on isnt going to improve its value...

its a great car and i love driving it, but the no test because i cant get the links off is a bit of a **** take now...

I reckon plusgas would shift something like it, absolutely brilliant stuff

Wortha go anyway!!! and cheaper than having to payfor ramp time else where - for them to plusgas / burn the bolts off!!!

Wortha go anyway!!! and cheaper than having to payfor ramp time else where - for them to plusgas / burn the bolts off!!!

Boiling motor oil is another possibility

Cut off the bolt and drill out the remains, if nothing else helps.