Rusted Rear Subframe Support Bracket

[bengyb]

I need to remove the rear subframe on my Mk2 so I can weld sills and treat rust around rear subframe mount areas.

 

The bolts are rusted sold! The heads of the bolts are rotten!

 

Has anyone struggled removing these before?

 

Also where can you get replacement support brackets?

These are also rotten!

 

Are they less prone to rusting on Alhambra or Sharan?

[BrianH]

Doubtful they are any different with any of the badges - they all came out of the same factory after all. Might just be that yours has lived near the sea or been used a lot on salty roads and not washed?

 

Think your probabbly down to trying to find better ones off one being broken up, not aware of them being available as a new part.

[sparky Paul]

As Brian says, you will probably struggle getting parts like that, either cut it off a scrapper, or fabricate.

 

What I've done in the past to remove similar bolts is mig weld a new nut on to the rotted bolt head, then attempt removal after a minute or two. Use plenty of amps to get good penetration into the old bolt. The heat that is transferred into the bolt expands it, cracks the corrosion in the threads, and should make it easier to remove. You can oversize the nut if you wish, it helps give you a bit more space to get a good weld in the centre.

 

One observation I would make is that these brackets are fairly substantial, and if they are rotten, it must be pretty scabby under there. I would have a good poke about before going any further.