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Trying to remove the struts to change springs and top mount but I got all the way to removing the pinch bolt on the clamp section, the nut came off fine on it's own, then I realised the other side is M14, went to stick one on and it just spins inside, looks like it's been attempted before improperly and it's been 50% rounded out.
I thought with the nut off, the bolt would just slide out, I've tried hitting it with a hammer and all sorts of wiggling of the strut and it's not budging, so I've coated it in xqc and left it for now.

Any ideas? Am I going to have to get the grinder out? I'm imaging just having the bolt thread stuck inside then if I grind the head off?
Don't own a welder so can't weld a nut on.

There is a tab on the strut to ensure the strut is all the way into the the hub. Maybe the tab is caught on the thread and it's all just rusted up. Can you see from the underside whether the strut is sat right down? Lacking any more technical input if the nut is off I'd be trying to hammer it out. (It isn't threaded)

Thanks, I'll take a look tomorrow and see what I can see

It may be worth getting a hub spreader tool in there just to help give some separation and maybe let the penetrating fluid in a bit more.
It's very common for these to be difficult to remove and even more so on the aluminium hubs. Persistence is key but with that said you may not have much working time before the bolt head rounds off fully, make sure you have a replacement new bolt for VW to go back in.

Thanks Doc, funnily enough I ordered a hub spreading socket thing earlier and two new bolts (one for the other side, joy!), but they don't come til monday so I'll have to pause the job for now

Best value tool ive ever bought that socket hub separator


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Put the nut back on , but not tight, then hit the nut with a big hammer

Not a bad shout that, didn't think to try that, I'll see how I get on when the parts arrive next week as I need the replacement bolts anyway

In the mean time it would be worthwhile getting some release oil/penetrating fluid into the mount!


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Oh yeah don't worry about that, I absolutely soaked it in XCP before I left it, plan to spray a bit more in sometime this weekend so it should be nice and loose come Tuesday fingers crossed!

I see this is already answered however I had this today.

I need to change a top mount and thought it OK to leave the m14 3xsq bolt in whilst I beat on the knuckle..... Not so......

The nuckle only came off after beatings, and soaking after the bolt was removed and I noticed the locator tab was impacted...a small drift split the nuckle enough.

. I havent seen this before on other cars... Although the closest was a Seat Ibiza 1....anyways...it came off eventually leaving the next issue of a spinning M8 nut in the top housing....

This caddy hasn't t seen any attention in ages by the look of it..... Even one drop link was fitted badly, rounded off on the inner torx section so had to be cut off.....

Bloody things

I feel you, looking at this caddy I'm sure the previous owner never changed any parts on it, the corrosion looks 16 years old