Make a donation

Author Topic: Rear drop link stuck!  (Read 1529 times)

Offline Clarkj93

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 7
  • -Receive: 33
  • Posts: 529
  • My Ride: https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=mo8b058evtcgf1e6dfe15m0mng&/topic,131272.0.html
Rear drop link stuck!
« on: September 21, 2021, 07:54:32 pm »
Any tips for getting the rear drop link off? I've got the passenger side of, but the driver side will not budge and the spline bolt end is starting to round...

I've done the typical spline bit held in place with grips etc. But think it's on much tighter than the Passenger side so when giving the nut enough orce to move the bit pops out or just ends up starting to round the bolt!

It's the upper bolt that sits behind the brake caliper where there is little room to work:



Anyone cut these off before? Or some other method?

Offline terrier

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 9
  • -Receive: 35
  • Posts: 384
  • My Ride: GTI now gone
Re: Rear drop link stuck!
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2021, 11:19:59 pm »
penetrating fluid.heat  then angle grinder  :happy2:

Offline owheel

  • Just Arrived
  • **
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 0
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 21
Re: Rear drop link stuck!
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2021, 01:09:53 pm »
I have had a bit of luck with freeze spray penetrant. It cools the metal to shrink it which supposedly allows the penetrant to get into the gap a bit better.

Edit: heres the link https://www.screwfix.com/p/arctic-products-crack-it-shock-release-spray-400ml/83415

I used it loosen rear caliper bolts that were being stubborn

Sent from my moto g(8) plus using Tapatalk
« Last Edit: September 22, 2021, 01:11:52 pm by owheel »

Offline LC5F

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 16
  • -Receive: 79
  • Posts: 1110
Re: Rear drop link stuck!
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2021, 05:04:45 pm »
Once a spline starts to round it is a one way trip from there, the trick is at the start make sure the spline is cleaned out and your bit is fully inserted.
Sometimes you can hammer in a torx bit... but in this case if you did that it will expand the threaded part and grip the nut you want to take off.
There is nothing to save here, the nut is really corroded & the spline goosed - just go straight to the grinder and cut the nut off.




Offline Clarkj93

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 7
  • -Receive: 33
  • Posts: 529
  • My Ride: https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=mo8b058evtcgf1e6dfe15m0mng&/topic,131272.0.html
Re: Rear drop link stuck!
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2021, 02:13:17 am »
Thanks guys, invested in a angle grinder, assured the Mrs I would try not to cut my index finger off, implemented some patience and it's off :)


Offline rich83

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 165
  • -Receive: 801
  • Posts: 13443
    • MK5 Golf GTI
  • My Ride: https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=mo8b058evtcgf1e6dfe15m0mng&/topic,19740.0.html
Re: Rear drop link stuck!
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2021, 02:30:22 pm »
Good job.