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removing stubourn suspension bolts?!?
tegwin - 14/8/08 at 06:02 PM

Im trying to remove some suspension bolts off an old car....

It has rubberish suspension bushes with steel crush tubes....

I have a feeling that the bolt has coroded itself onto the crushtube inside the bush...

So, even though the nut is undone, I cant persuade the bolt to come out....been hitting it with a punch and a hammer and even heated it slightly...

The big issue is that I cant get a hammer square onto the head because the chassis is in the way....

Are there any tricks for persuading the bolts out?

Was hoping I could re-use the bushes as they look ok, but the rate im going...I dont think thats going to happen!

mr henderson - 14/8/08 at 06:05 PM

What happens when you turn the head of the bolt?

John

tegwin - 14/8/08 at 06:11 PM

Tried that one...

It just spins the crush sleeve inside the rubber bush

I recon it would come out IF I could get my lump hammer onto it nice and square....alas I cant get it into the space...

indykid - 14/8/08 at 06:22 PM

quote:
Originally posted by tegwin
Tried that one...

It just spins the crush sleeve inside the rubber bush


erm....the bush is shagged then. the crush tube in a metalastic bush should be bonded to the bush itself.

burn it out and cut the bolt when you have a bit of movement.
tom

rusty nuts - 14/8/08 at 06:24 PM

Might be possible to cut through the bolt at each end of the crush tube and remove offending part then you should be able to get at each end of the bolt. Best of luck as it can be a right pain

02GF74 - 15/8/08 at 07:43 AM

common probelm on land rovers. you need to destroy the rubber bush - drilling and/or burning it out; then hacksaw through the tube to drift it out.

tegwin - 15/8/08 at 10:14 AM

Burning it out so I can get the hacaksaw in is possibly the only option...

Will I weaken/damage the wishbone and suspension pickup if I get it hot enough to melt the rubber?

iank - 15/8/08 at 10:32 AM

Not unless you go mad.
Replace the bushes with poly ones they are much better.
http://www.tvrna.com/tech-a04.html

wilkingj - 15/8/08 at 10:58 AM

I agree with Rusty.. Carefully hacksaw through the bolt between the arm and the bracket.
Extract the arm, Burn out the bush, Just use a low flame to burn the rubber. Doesnt need a Lot of heat.

CAREFULLY Saw lengthwise through the remaining bush tube and drift out. Careful not to saw into the Arms tube.

Replace with a Polybush.

Metalastic bushes are good. however, no one ever greases the bolts or uses copper ease on them. You dont usually keep a car long enough to do the job twice. unless you are a Land Rover owner!