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Author Topic: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!  (Read 8732 times)

Offline MMH664

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Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« on: September 10, 2012, 02:06:51 pm »
Hi there,

My first post, it looks like a good forum! I have just bought an 05 plate Mk5 Gti, and need some help!

Last weekend, I opened the boot. The right hand strut ripped itself out of the body! The bolt with a ball on the end, onto which the strut fits litteraly ripped out! See this pic (sorry if it's a bit big, but wanted to show the detail):


I took it to a garage today. They said they couldn't get any access behind the panel, to secure the bolt with a nut. The didn't want to weld it, in case it damaged the paint (also it wouldn't look very neat).

I've searched around on the net, and I've found two other people with the same problem, but I can't seem to find any solutions.

Any thoughts?

If not, the next step I'll try a main dealer I guess.

Thanks,

Alex

Offline bacillus

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2012, 02:53:07 pm »
Assuming that the end screws into the body panel then the only solution I can think of is to install a nutsert/rivnut that the strut can screw into. You may have to enlarge the original hole by drilling to accept the nutsert.
This is how the nutsert works without having to go behind the panel.

Without traction power is nothing!

Offline MMH664

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2012, 03:45:52 pm »
Thank you, that's a very helpful reply. I might speak to the garage again and see if they have one, but I'm also very tempted to get the tool and give it a go myself!

Offline bacillus

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2012, 08:07:17 pm »
Thank you, that's a very helpful reply. I might speak to the garage again and see if they have one, but I'm also very tempted to get the tool and give it a go myself!

You don't actually have to use that particular tool as you can improvise your own.
This is what E30Dom used on another application. http://www.r32oc.com/topic/15208-just-fitted-my-unibrace/#entry166560

Without traction power is nothing!

richyc

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2015, 02:39:17 pm »
MMH664, did you fix this problem? It has happened to my GTi!

Offline Flyingscotsman

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2017, 08:38:50 am »
I have this problem with the strut mount nut lost inside bodywork.
Has anyone resolved this with a rivnut or other method.
Rivnut looks like good solution but I can see access issues for a drill if hole needs enlarging.
Thanks !

Offline Rado16v

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2022, 12:15:34 pm »
Wow, a 10 year old thread.

I've just had this happen to my cat, same side. I've seen a few posts about the rivnut but some people have said it's only a temp fix.

Anyone found a better solution? Maybe welding of a nut?

Cheers

Offline pudding

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2022, 03:59:47 pm »
Is there actually a captive nut behind there?  The metalwork looks kinda reinforced enough to be tapped in that area, which could be why this problem happens....it's not man enough!

But yeah, a rivnut is the least invasive fix unfortunately, but I'm not a fan of them personally.


2007 ED30 | 2009 TDI 140 | 2016 BMW 330D

Offline Flyingscotsman

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2022, 07:06:25 am »
I used the Rivnut method and it has held good (touch wood) for last 5 years.  I'd advise getting a few different sizes of Rivnut to see which fits best.

To answer Pudding's question - there is a not-very-captive nut behind that easily gets dislodged. 

Offline probedb

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2022, 02:58:40 pm »
Rivnutted mine, same issue, same side. Just don't use too much force when you drill or you'll feel like a muppet when you make a lump in the bodywork...not that I did that or anything  :ashamed:

Offline Rado16v

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #10 on: September 17, 2022, 07:44:48 am »
Thanks guys, I'll look into the rivnut method in that case.

I don't have the tool so may just use the bolt and nut method. Does anyone recall the size of anchor bolt thread?
« Last Edit: September 17, 2022, 08:39:37 am by Rado16v »

Offline LC5F

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #11 on: September 17, 2022, 10:27:49 pm »
Cant help with the thread size

But recommend stainless riv-nuts - the beauty of riv-nuts is if they get wobbly, you just drill it out and replace, stainless means it wont rust when they fall down into the bodywork.

Offline Rado16v

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2022, 04:50:25 pm »
Good tip, cheers.

Offline Flyingscotsman

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #13 on: September 20, 2022, 07:06:58 am »
Thanks guys, I'll look into the rivnut method in that case.

I don't have the tool so may just use the bolt and nut method. Does anyone recall the size of anchor bolt thread?

I used M6 thread rivnut.

Offline Rado16v

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Re: Mk5 Golf Gti Boot Strut Problem!
« Reply #14 on: September 26, 2022, 11:05:55 am »
I used M6 thread rivnut.

Great, thank you.