Seized bolt removal Glasgow

[nunpuncher]

Looking for recommendations in or near Glasgow for a place that will remove a seized strut pinch bolt from a hub.

The full assembly is off the car. It's the old situation of a steel bolt stuck solid in a cast alloy. The nut came off the other end fine and the bolt isn't sheared but a hydraulic press has failed to get them out so some suggested taking to an "engineering shop". I have no idea what one is or where one might be.

Absolutely any suggestions welcome.

[sunbeam alpine]

My default answer to these types of challenges is to get heat into it (if possible).

Maybe if you could post a pic someone more knowledgeable will have a better suggestion...

[nunpuncher]

I'm afraid this one is beyond heat. Had the blow torch on it, soaked it in plus gas several times and left. 1600nm rattle gun can't turn it and a 6t hydraulic press failed to shift it.

I think realistically i'm looking for somewhere that will do spark erosion or somewhere that will pedestal drill it.

[colin_p]

Audi A4 or A6 by any chance?

If of certain age then a pair of second hand steel Passat knuckles may be a solution. A bit heavier but much stronger.

[OldGermanHeaps]

blow torch isnt enough, took oxy acetylene to free my audi a6 pinch bolts, the difference from blow torch to hotspanner is noticeable.
tbh though I only persevered because I had started the job and needed the car that night, if its a common car a less seized assembly out a scrappy might be an option, plenty of great scrappys nearby, birnam and jimmy stewarts, and you could ask them to free it with the hotspanner before buying it so you dont end up with a dud.

Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Sunday 26th January 20:43

[nunpuncher]

It's a 996 C4. I checked eBay for replacement hub carriers, not many for sale and ranged from 150 to 220 each. I'd rather try to save this pair as at least I know the bearings are good.

A new bare hub carrier is over £800.

Edited by nunpuncher on Sunday 26th January 21:25

[colin_p]

nunpuncher said:

It's a 996 C4. I checked eBay for replacement hub carriers, not many for sale and ranged from 150 to 220 each. I'd rather try to save this pair as at least I know the bearings are good.

A new bare hub carrier is over £800.

Edited by nunpuncher on Sunday 26th January 21:25

In that case, no messing about, hopefully find that engineering shop and get it done properly!

[C12HLL]

Might be worth trying west of Scotland engineering. Been going for years and use them a bit through work.

[StescoG66]

Gilmour engineering in Cambuslang are excellent. Craig is a gent to deal with

[Order66]

OldGermanHeaps said:

blow torch isnt enough, took oxy acetylene to free my audi a6 pinch bolts, the difference from blow torch to hotspanner is noticeable.

This. What gas was in the blowtorch? If not MAPP then you were wasting your time. Same with plusgas on that kind of corrosive bond.

A good plumbers bowtorch fuelled with MAPP then hit with a properly powerful impact gun should shift it. I've used this combination on some REALLY stuck stuff and it has worked every time (unless the bolt heat is rounded) - never found a bolt that my big Milwaukee impact gun couldn't undo after some heat.

[OldGermanHeaps]

if the bolt head is rounded air hammer and oxy is the way forward.

[two4oneuk]

http://www.westgarage.co.uk/

Never used these guys but seen many a hillclimb and sprint car been prepped. They will have the tools and skills to do the job

[nunpuncher]

Rounding this thread off.

Took the hubs to West of Scotland Engineering along with 2 brembos with sheared nipples. They fixed each problem for £50 (£200 total). The hub bolts had to be drilled out as they were absolutely solid. Did a great job, easy to deal with and even looked some replacement bolts out for me.

[r.s.logan]

Good to hear West of Scotland Engineering still on the go and doing good work .First used them way back in the late 60s when they were down at Kelvinhaugh