VW/Audi vehicles

Leave the top assembly intact

Remove the strut from the swivel hub

Use something that will absorb the strut energy (I use a shovel)

Then remove the piston nut allowing the strut ,spring etc to fall away

This gives you access to the captive nuts

If needed put a couple of spring compressor s on to reduce the energy

I've got a socket with a bent extension for the nuts and I've cut through the bolts  with a reciprocating saw before now 

I bought one of these. only used it once but it worked a treat, only noticed some of the nuts are 8 sided after reading about this tool.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174046956308?hash=item288601cb14:g:NFMAAOSwX6NgdU8q

Thanks for the link. I've ordered one for future use. I seem to get all the bad  jobs 

I've used it today on a VW Tiguan. two bolts came out no problem but one was seized at the end of the thread even after cleaning. The suspension turret on these is set back underside the windscreen, wiper motor out etc before access. You'd struggle drilling or grinding the heads of them bolts.

I followed the advice of nitros44 on this car, the spring was broken anyway so I cut it again with the grinder and removed the strut and left the top mounting in place until last. Access brilliant that way, however when I put the new top bearing assembly in the turret housing and tightened the three top bolts, one of the captive nuts came out the housing so I ended up also using the tool to hold the captive nut while I tightend the new bolt. That is the second time that has happend to me now with new bearings supplied.  

At our place   I'd end up buying the studs to locate the bearing. My last VW I did before this one I asked the boss to get the new bolts for the bearing because the old ones had to be cut off at the time. While I was over in Preston one evening I picked a package up consisting of pinch bolt, shocker nylon nut and three top bearing bolts. Boss said to me when I give him a vat receipt I can have my money back! I'm still waiting for a receipt coming through the email to claim my money back. I won't be so helpful again.  

Is it possible to see an example of his mini sand blaster or a part number with OEM name! That's a good idea which clearly I'd never have thought of. These mountings are here to stay and more times than not as vehicles get older, they will present their problems along the way.