Dealing With 40 Year Old Rusty Bolts

This is bound to happen at one point or another. Dealing with 40+ year old rusty bolts can be trying and time consuming and sooner or later, you’re going to strip one or break one. So far, I’ve been pretty lucky. Usually, the bolts holding the fenders to the body can be such a headache, but I got all of mine out without issue thanks to soaking them in penetrating oil. However, when it came to the removal of the decklid hinges, I wasn’t so lucky. Only three 10mm screws hold each hinge in place. I soaked them all the best I could with penetrating oil and five of the six bolts came out without issue, but the last one wanted to be a pain. Applying the slightest amount of pressure, the nut that was welded to the casing spun. Since there is no way possible to get a wrench or anything else in there to hold the nut while the bolt is removed, I had no choice but to pull the bolt and nut through the housing. The metal is pretty thin, so it came out without much hassle. However, it’s just another thing that will have to be repaired. I’d rather for this to happen where it did instead of a fender mount or body mount. And I’m sure this won’t be the first time that this will happen as we continue to tear down the Beetle. First pic is of the arm of the decklid hinge that came out without an issue.

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