C3 Canister Fuel Filter - suggestions
 

Folks,

Tried to change my fuel filter and went to undo the nut that holds the clamp that holds the canister. Looks like the nut merely goes on to a threaded bolt that was immersed in rubber and stuck to the body.

That rubber has perished and the clamp has broken away from the car's body. So now I can't undo the bolt (it just spins) and fuel filter is just hanging there by the fuel lines. The bonnet strut now clashes with it if I open/close the bonnet.

I will try hacksawing through the threaded bolt to free the clamp, but any suggestions on what to replace the set up with? I assume I will need to drill into the bodywork with some sort of self tapping screw/bolt...:idea:

It's a radiator mount.

803 121 275 A

The stud on the mount goes through the clip and a nut holds it all in place.

I'm guessing the other half stud of the mount goes through a hole in the body and is held in the strut tower by another nut.

My clamp has broken away too. I don't need to change the filter, but there will be some repetitive stress on the fuel pipes that should be avoided.
Super glue was ineffective.
Going to try a blob of adhesive sealant next. Will wait until a few sealant-type jobs build up!

If you're doing it with glue, I can recommend the Gorilla gel type for that type of thing. I used it for the brake line clips I bought as they were slightly to large for the studs on the bodywork - stuck them on very well! There's also that "gripfill" stuff which is very strong and waterproof which would probably work better if it's more of a hole/gap to fill.

Yes, the other end of the radiator mount goes into the wheel arch.

Can't undo the bolt as it just spins.

I have the clear Gorilla glue. Will try sticking a nut on the sheared off end. Hopefully it will be strong enough.