Hello,
the splash guards at my rear brake disks are badly corroded and will be, what I think would be called a "MOT-failure" in the UK next time it is checked. When replacing them, how much trouble should I reasonably expect? From memory when I replaced the disks some time ago, the splash guards seem to be hold in place by some pretty substantial hex-head bolts which I thought was surprising. My questions are:

Do the bolts tend to break when trying to undo them?

What is the safest method to get them out in one piece (e.g. impact gun or wrench)?

Do these bolts hold something more than the splash guards, meaning how much of a disaster is it if I mess up one and cant get the remains out?

Thank you very much in advance 🙂

Have had loads of cars with splashguards missing and passed MOT. Only once failed as it was loose but MOT guy kindly pulled it off and passed it. The bolts on my sons MK1 fabia were remarkably good though that was on front and small allen type. I soaked in penetrating oil for a few days. On the rear It may be the hub bolts that you are seeing? From memory I think you have to remove hub to replace splash guards on rear as its sandwichd between

Alasdair

37 minutes ago, Alasdair1 said:

Have had loads of cars with splashguards missing and passed MOT. Only once failed as it was loose but MOT guy kindly pulled it off and passed it. The bolts on my sons MK1 fabia were remarkably good though that was on front and small allen type. I soaked in penetrating oil for a few days. On the rear It may be the hub bolts that you are seeing? From memory I think you have to remove hub to replace splash guards on rear as its sandwichd between

Alasdair

Here in Norway, they seem to be rather strict with these things, I therefore expect they would not accept the ones fitted at the rear of my car. I agree with your experience from the front brakes. When I replaced mine, there were small torx-screws which did not cause much trouble.
The hexhead bolts I think I remember from the rear brakes of my car might well fasten a "hubcarrier" meaning the part to which the bearing gets fixed. In that case, breaking these bolts, damaging the threads is a scary thought....

Not sure on the MK3 but if the bolts go through the wheel bearing hub from front the may protrude on the inside. If so make sure the exposed threads of bolts are clean. Just done my daughters volvo front bearing and used a wire brush on drill to clean up exposed threads. If you try and remove bolts with corrosion/dirt on exposed threads they can seize/break or damage hub carrier.

Alasdair