upper ball joint allen bolts

[yetihair]

Hello, after yesterday saying that the n/s ball joint change went well it was time for the O/S
It too went okay apart from one of the Allen head bolts being stubborn despite all the usual persuasion and tricks.
Penetrant - no movement
Heat - no movement
Tighten first then try to undo - no movement
Light tapping with hammer - no movement
Light swearing - no movement
Heavy pressure on Allen key - rounded off Allen head
Heavy swearing - no movement
Oversize imperial Allen key - slight movement then rounded off
Hammer 14mm socket on top - - undone!

Brilliant but I now need to replace them. Does anyone know the correct bolt on vw heritage? I can't seem to find the right ones.

[AdrianC]

Just take it in to a local fastener supplier - it won't be anything special.

[California Dreamin]

They just high tensile M10 X 16mm 1.5 pitch ? I had mine off when I did the wishbone rubbers and the thread looked standard pitch so these should fit..just use the pull down box to get M10 X 16mm
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M10-SELF-COLO ... 53f61fabfc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

£2.15 for 5

Martin

[RedGus]

According to Vagcat, they are M10 x 16mm, with no mention of thread pitch, so it should be standard M10 coarse (which is 1.5 pitch). The new ones I have are stamped 12.9 strength grade.

James

[RedGus]

Just measured the old ones I took off, and they are 16mm long, as above.

James

[RedGus]

Ah, just saw that Martin has adjusted his post to say the same thing as I've just confirmed.

[California Dreamin]

Adjusted.....the cheek of it!

I said 20mm but did say they would be a tad long

Martin

[RedGus]

Cheek? Why?

[yetihair]

Well, I got the 20mm ones, prior to the "Adjustment" and they are fine. Any longer though and you risk them wearing through the ball joint boot!
Thanks for the assistance!