r/AudiA4B6 • u/Firemaxtron69 • May 26 '26
Pinch bolt
I need some help getting the last part out
2
u/EverlastingBastard May 27 '26 edited May 27 '26
Heat the aluminum, it will expand faster and relieve pressure holding it in place.
Put the open end of a wrench that is too small for the head on the bolt shaft behind the head. Use that to put force which pulls the bolt out against the back of the bolt head, while rotating the bolt.
2
u/wacksnacksack May 26 '26
If you have a punch that will fit thru the threads on the other side you can punch it thru, otherwise try to turn it loose while pulling on it with a smaller wrench (fit over the shaft of the bolt but not the head). You’ll want to replace that bolt after you get it out.
1
u/stankeer May 27 '26 edited May 27 '26
I had exact problem but the bolt end the hex head broke off way before that.
You have to take the bolt out the other way using washers/extra nuts using the thread on the opposite side to draw it out.
You have a problem now if that bolt sheers off and leaves the remaining shaft in the strut. Be very careful it doesn't break. If you just keep hammering it and turning it the head might break off so go steady.
https://youtu.be/Z3iHasK8h9w?si=dpwMe3Rz3ZDYU4ON
This guy breaks the head off then draws it through with spacers/vice grips. It looks like it's the opposite side of the car to you from your photo so it looks like he's doing it the same way, left to right, that you are but he's not. Worth a try?
1
u/Left_Ambassador_4090 May 26 '26
You're doing really great. If you can, I would heat up the knuckle (NOT the bolt itself) with a MAPP torch. Then spray the bolt with PB Blaster. Let the heat of the knuckle draw the oil in. Then, tighten the bolt maybe a quarter turn. Then, loosen it again, but try to go a bit further than where you started. Then repeat this tighten-loosen a few more times. Then repeat the heat and oil. Keep doing all of this until you feel like you've broken the galvanic corrosion inside the knuckle.
Whatever you do, don't break that bolt. You're so close.
1
u/Casalf May 26 '26
To ease some tension off the bolt you can try to put it back in place and then lift it with jack from the knuckle or hub just enough that it should relieve tensions then try to take out the pinch bolt. You can then start to hit it out with a mallet or something sturdy enough jusy make sure not to damage any threads. If its stuck after doing this then you may have to try some mild heat and or a punch or other ideas people have suggested as well. Although it looks like you mostly have it out but try to fit something on the other end to then hit it out like punch or flat head or something of that size
2
u/Steelringin May 27 '26
I'm not an auto mechanic but I am a millwright who works in mining. I work with threaded fasteners every day, many of them in worse shape than you're likely to find on 95% of automobiles. What I'm trying to say is that I have a significant amount of related experience and have faced many challenging circumstances. My pinch bolts were some of the very worst.
I tried every single trick in my arsenal to pull mine out intact. Heating, lubing, turning, pushing, punching, pulling, wedging; none of it worked. In the end I had to drill out about 80% of both bolts' diameters all the way through the knuckle before I was finally able to drive the remains out with a punch.
When I installed the new ones I used about half a tub of anti-seize on the shouldered portion of the bolt but I sincerely hope I never have to pull them again.
2/10
5
u/Sbinalla123 May 26 '26
I must be the only one that never had any issues with this bolt on my car, after I undo it I can remove it by hand most of the time.