Can you help

We are trying to remove the bolts from my Punto 2000 strut bottom in order to remove the drive shaft

Not surprisingly the bolts are ceased and are in danger of rounding

Any help / thoughts on other options for removing the drive shaft

We are doing this in order to replace the clutch

Thanks

I've replaced a clutch before now just swinging the box, leaving both shafts attached. The only downside is not much space to work, I'm having same problem with same bolt atm trying to remove a gearbox. Think I'll end up just dropping it out off the shafts

Can you replace the bolts? Or are they fixed studs? Might be worth investing in a nut splitter if you can spare the bolts. I can imagine a grinder being much fun under there.

Also give them a good soak in PlusGas before anything. None of this WD40, its all about PlusGas.

have you applied either liberal amounts of WD40/penetrating fluid or Fire (never apply penetrating fluid and fire) usually one or the other helps.

I have been known to weld a cheap spanner to a bolt to remove it,

undo the nut - and punch the bolt out

replace with new

Dont touch the bolts head, unless it spins with the NUT

Ziggy

AndyRKett said:

have you applied either liberal amounts of WD40/penetrating fluid or Fire (never apply penetrating fluid and fire) usually one or the other helps.

I have been known to weld a cheap spanner to a bolt to remove it,

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Don't even bother with WD, it aint worth it. PlusGas is where its at

Re: seized bolts on strut - to remove drive shaft

To be honest im a bit confused here
why would you undo the bolts on the strut to do a clutch?
why not undo the ball joint pinch bolt?

LandieMan said:

Don't even bother with WD, it aint worth it. PlusGas is where its at

Click to expand...

I'm going with Harry hill for the moment....plus gas vs wd40

Clean up threads with wire brush.....fluid, brush, fluid, brush, cup of tea, fluid, brush......6pt socket, make sure it's right on, curse,.....

atom0007 said:

Clean up threads with wire brush.....fluid, brush, fluid, brush, cup of tea, fluid, brush......6pt socket, make sure it's right on, curse,.....

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and then cut them off

i spent about 1 1/2 trying to get my heavily corroded and seized into place bottom ball joints out

Luckily my strut bolts came off without a single fight - cause i'd had them off before and copper greased them up

if you can get the strut turned around enough - you can then wack the bolts out

But if a bolts dodgey and not suitable for refitting, get a new one

For £10 you can replace all 4!

Ziggy

Ziggy122 said:

i spent about 1 1/2 trying to get my heavily corroded and seized into place bottom ball joints out

Luckily my strut bolts came off without a single fight - cause i'd had them off before and copper greased them up

if you can get the strut turned around enough - you can then wack the bolts out

But if a bolts dodgey and not suitable for refitting, get a new one

For £10 you can replace all 4!

Ziggy

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guess you wished you had removed the anti roll bar then

s and b said:

guess you wished you had removed the anti roll bar then

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The joint was corroded to hell
It wasn't budging, till i decided enough is enough - undid the strut bolts and yanked

Ziggy

Re: seized bolts on strut - to remove drive shaft

s and b said:

To be honest im a bit confused here
why would you undo the bolts on the strut to do a clutch?
why not undo the ball joint pinch bolt?

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Because it's (usually) easier.

You need decent 6 sided sockets, 18mm and 19mm, and penetrating fluid at least the day before. A breaker bar is handy..........

Re: seized bolts on strut - to remove drive shaft

fingers99 said:

Because it's (usually) easier.

You need decent 6 sided sockets, 18mm and 19mm, and penetrating fluid at least the day before. A breaker bar is handy..........

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im not being awkward here but ive seen this way recommended before so did actually try it on a punto last year
i failed to get the driveshaft out of the hub
so null points

so my question to the team
has anybody actually achieved it

I fail to see how that would work. Maybe aswell as the ball joint pinch bolt. but thats the one i thought he was on about

Re: Re: Ceased bolts on strut - to remove drive shaft

LandieMan said:

Don't even bother with WD, it aint worth it. PlusGas is where its at

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Raise you... Bilt hamber ferrosol it kicks plus gas square in the nuts

been a landy owner check their cavity and underside coatings

Well 4 hours later, we got them out. For those who suggested Plusgas, clean, Plusgas, clean, Plusgas, clean, Plusgas, clean, breathe Plusgas, clean, then I think this is the right answer. Also don't touch the bolt. Nut only. Thank you for the help

Re: seized bolts on strut - to remove drive shaft

s and b said:

im not being awkward here but ive seen this way recommended before so did actually try it on a punto last year
i failed to get the driveshaft out of the hub
so null points

so my question to the team
has anybody actually achieved it

Click to expand...

This is how it's usually done on Centos, and Mk1s. Undo the innermost CV joint clips (replace later with big, decent quality tie wraps). Undo the 2 bottom strut nuts, pop the bolts out (punch or podger useful). Free up the struts at the bottom just so they can move. Tug on the disks. The driveshaft should pop out of the cup. Wrap in plastic bag to keep the carp out, tie up out of the way.

It my just be that Mk2s are fundamentally different, but I doubt it.

No attention to hub bolt, TRE or bottom ball joint should be required.

Mickykent said:

Well 4 hours later, we got them out. For those who suggested Plusgas, clean, Plusgas, clean, Plusgas, clean, Plusgas, clean, breathe Plusgas, clean, then I think this is the right answer. Also don't touch the bolt. Nut only. Thank you for the help

Click to expand...

Good work, patience really helps.
Bet you feel heroic