svetlin_borisov@yahoo.com

I am looking for recommendations on what tool to buy to remove the famous pinch bolt on the upper control arms in the front of a8 d3? Both sides seized up. Soaking for a few days didnt get any result. I looked for pinch bolt removal tools andnmost of them are just punches. I am affraid just a good punch wouldnt be enought for me, I would rather get a tool that will mechanically extract the screw or at least guide the drill bit if drilling would be involved.

Anyone has good recommendation that isn't breaking the pocket?

Thanks

Tstealth32

I used an air impact gun on low psi to vibrate the head of the bolt, screwed on a large nut so i didnt mushroom the other side, and used a big hammer to keep beating it out. After about 20 min, it finally started to rotate and pull out. Keep the gun on it, keep wacking it, and eventually itll come out. Then use a lot of grease on the new one!!!

svetlin_borisov@yahoo.com

Thanks for the quick reply!

I tried the driver side when i was rebuilding the air strut few months back. I used a breaker bar and got it to separate from knuckle anout 2mm, but the head of the bolt wore out and I was affraid it would snap. On the same project i broke off the strut mount bracket bolt, so i just disconnected the arms bushing side.
I am thinking that if i use a c-clamp and place a 16mm socket on the bolt head and a gear wrench on the nut and clamp the nut and the socket , when i drive the nut out, it should force the bolt to separate(i.e. force to extract the bolt by its own nut).
My clamp wasnt big enougj to try it today, but i will deffinately get a larger one and try.
I will aslo use your advice and pound on the bolt with the impact(mine is cordless electric, but has ajustable output, so it should be fine).

Thanks again!

richard-tx

Heat and a good 3/8" air impact has always done it for me. Forget penetrating oil. It is useless. If you are desperate, use some mineral spirits aka paint thinner aka charcoal lighter.

Sci-fi_Wasabi

So, do you think that a pinch bolt removal tool like the one in this video would not work?

svetlin_borisov@yahoo.com

This is what i am looking for. Where to buy and what do these cost?.

By the way my car has the bolt nut on the tierod end and the bolt head is on the other side. The toolshould work regardless.

Thanks

Sci-fi_Wasabi

The comments in the youtube video (click the "YouTube" button below the video when it is playing) have some links to items like that.
The one they actually showed is linked here: and there are some comments about other companies who make ones like it.

https://vw.snapon.com/SpecialToolsDe...ame=Suspension

it says its $400, there must be some generic versions of the tool available, or maybe you can rent it from someone on the board who has it.

Sci-fi_Wasabi

another link to another source
https://www.handsontools.com/Klann-T...t_p_65441.html

must be made of Adamantium or something for $500

http://www.purems.com/images/my_stor...l_arm_tool.jpg