struts on hatch are f*#ked! & waterpump leak?

[Ade_Mc]

hey peps,
i seem to have a problem.
i removed my rear hatch to attack some rust.
but half way through it...i found out that the struts wouldn't budge.
eventualy the left one screwed off the hatch..but hte right one has rounded its self!
so i chopped the strut in half...and then my mate chopped the remainder off!
now its fucked and looks like this.

any tips on removing the bolt without to much damage?
:blink:

also i think my waterpump might be dying...any clues?
(check the pic)

[parrot]

That wasn't very clever! But you don't want to hear all the stupid things I have done over the years.

I still haven't gotten over forgetting to take out the rag I had stuffed down the front of the timing cover on my datsun L20B when I had taken off the timing gear. After reassembling everything and trying to start the car, I wondered why it would barely turnover before a strange pop noise. Look at engine to find the rocker cover had exploded out, but that just led on to other things....... etc etc Perhaps we need to start a thread of stupid things we have done.

Anyway, back on topic. You will have to drill out the remainder of the bolt with a smaller drill bit and use a bolt extractor tool if you don't want to bugger the thread. Chances are you will bugger it so may need to use a tap to clean it up.

Looks like the water pump has been leaking for a while. Just pull it off and see where the leak is coming from. Probably just needs a new gasket or seals, rather than a whole pump. The thermostat housing often leaks and is a real prick sometimes.

[Ade_Mc]

cheers parrot!
i will definitely start that thread!
...the problem is that the other half of the strut is still connected to the tailgate!
and that bolt is rounding to!
and the other stut unbolted off the tail..but it stuck on the body!!!!!!
i will try not to root it!

cheers!