VAG pinch bolt removal tool
Discussion
I need to replace the front upper and lower control arms on my B5.5 passat. problem is that currently one of my pinch bolts is welded in.
Replacements steering knuckles from TPS are £616 + VAT per side, local scrappy will sell used ones for £35, only problem is they have to be DIY removed from the vehicle, and the only assistance they can provide is placing the vehicle on a lift, no access to air tools or torch heat.
https://youtu.be/jrYAAtlsjnY?t=56s
As you can see from the video, removing the pinch bolts without air assistance is nigh on impossible.
The only way I can see it being done by hand or with an impact gun is using this removal tool, but at over £500 is not justifable;
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001CCAGE0/?coliid=ITH...
Does anyone know of anyway to rent/hire/borrow such a tool or even if anyone has created their own ?
I've found these posts from 2012, but as you can imagine trying to contact hfturbo2000 is going to be a challenge, unless they Paul Toon is on here ?
http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-pinch-bolt-r...
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php...
Replacements steering knuckles from TPS are £616 + VAT per side, local scrappy will sell used ones for £35, only problem is they have to be DIY removed from the vehicle, and the only assistance they can provide is placing the vehicle on a lift, no access to air tools or torch heat.
https://youtu.be/jrYAAtlsjnY?t=56s
As you can see from the video, removing the pinch bolts without air assistance is nigh on impossible.
The only way I can see it being done by hand or with an impact gun is using this removal tool, but at over £500 is not justifable;
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001CCAGE0/?coliid=ITH...
Does anyone know of anyway to rent/hire/borrow such a tool or even if anyone has created their own ?
I've found these posts from 2012, but as you can imagine trying to contact hfturbo2000 is going to be a challenge, unless they Paul Toon is on here ?
http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-pinch-bolt-r...
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php...
Spray them with penetrating fluid (proper stuff not WD40), each day for a week.
Oxy torch and get them nice and hot, quench, repeat until they release.
Problem isn't that they weld in, there are 2 factors:
1. They sit in the spray off the wheels so rust like mad.
2. The VAG torque setting is too high causing the bolts to bend.
Worst case drill them out, although you may need to change the upright if you get it wrong.
Yes they are a pig to do, but it's not impossible.
ATP (if that's correct), do a set of arms on ebay (from Germany) for about £160-170. I had a set on my Passat for about 20k without issue before I had to scrap her.
Oxy torch and get them nice and hot, quench, repeat until they release.
Problem isn't that they weld in, there are 2 factors:
1. They sit in the spray off the wheels so rust like mad.
2. The VAG torque setting is too high causing the bolts to bend.
Worst case drill them out, although you may need to change the upright if you get it wrong.
Yes they are a pig to do, but it's not impossible.
ATP (if that's correct), do a set of arms on ebay (from Germany) for about £160-170. I had a set on my Passat for about 20k without issue before I had to scrap her.
I did this on an A6 years ago DIY. As above PlusGas daily for a week. I also heated it with a blow torch then sprayed plus gas on it - careful it will ignite.
Then finally heated it and got a breaker bar on the bolt. That was finally enough to break to corrosion. I then hammed the bolt out.
Bugger of a job. Getting the lower tapers apart is another hard job as joint separators don't fit.
Then finally heated it and got a breaker bar on the bolt. That was finally enough to break to corrosion. I then hammed the bolt out.
Bugger of a job. Getting the lower tapers apart is another hard job as joint separators don't fit.
Thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately only muscle or battery operated tools available, and pre-penetrating preparation isn't really an option.
These are the 3 choices I have, and there location;
Or if I wanted to go the A4 route;
Does anyone know if its the case that once the nut has been slackened, I can use a ball joint splitter to remove the upper control arms, or does the bolt have to be removed first ?
As you can see from the photos. the vehicles are sat on their hubs/disks in the dirt, so want to minimise the time spent bleeding and swearing, otherwise it'll be more cost effective to scrap my B5.5, instead of seeing if it'll make 250k miles.
These are the 3 choices I have, and there location;
Or if I wanted to go the A4 route;
Does anyone know if its the case that once the nut has been slackened, I can use a ball joint splitter to remove the upper control arms, or does the bolt have to be removed first ?
As you can see from the photos. the vehicles are sat on their hubs/disks in the dirt, so want to minimise the time spent bleeding and swearing, otherwise it'll be more cost effective to scrap my B5.5, instead of seeing if it'll make 250k miles.
rfsteel said:
Does anyone know if its the case that once the nut has been slackened, I can use a ball joint splitter to remove the upper control arms, or does the bolt have to be removed first ?
The pinchbolt has to be removed.Without the right tool, or enough of the wrong tools, you simply don't stand a chance of removing it.
EDIT - as above, pay a garage to remove the bolts and replace them on yours.
Edited by shtu on Thursday 23 August 16:04
Very useful on cars, available cheaper elsewhere.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/rothenberger-super-fire...
https://www.screwfix.com/p/rothenberger-super-fire...
I recommend oxy as a blow torch just doesn't get enough heat in.
You need a larger ball joint splitter for the lower ball joints, they do exist, but it's rare to find an affordable one. Buy a scissor one, the fork ones are generally useless.
The A6 is even worse, the c6 ball joints are 30mm at the bottom of the taper, the B5.5 is about 24mm
You need a larger ball joint splitter for the lower ball joints, they do exist, but it's rare to find an affordable one. Buy a scissor one, the fork ones are generally useless.
The A6 is even worse, the c6 ball joints are 30mm at the bottom of the taper, the B5.5 is about 24mm
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