Lurk mode off - suspension refurb....

Lurk mode off - suspension refurb....

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Discussion

over_the_hill

3,188 posts

246 months

Monday 7th September 2015
quotequote all
A slight thread hi-jack if I might be be so bold.

Could someone tell me what size are the two nuts and bolts that go through the top ball joint.

I was attempting to change my final shock-absorber yesterday (other 3 done OK) but the bottom bolt proved stubborn. So to try and get better access I decided to disconnect the ball joint and drop the wishbone to get better access.

Unfortunately the nuts started to round so I decided to stop there for now before doing more damage.
15mm is too small and both 16mm and 5/8 seem a bit too big and don't grip.
Although the bolts could be monkey metal or might have been butchered in a previous life as they have never been touched since I have owned the car.

thanks

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

167 months

Monday 7th September 2015
quotequote all
over_the_hill said:
A slight thread hi-jack if I might be be so bold.

Could someone tell me what size are the two nuts and bolts that go through the top ball joint.

I was attempting to change my final shock-absorber yesterday (other 3 done OK) but the bottom bolt proved stubborn. So to try and get better access I decided to disconnect the ball joint and drop the wishbone to get better access.

Unfortunately the nuts started to round so I decided to stop there for now before doing more damage.
15mm is too small and both 16mm and 5/8 seem a bit too big and don't grip.
Although the bolts could be monkey metal or might have been butchered in a previous life as they have never been touched since I have owned the car.

thanks
Only one nut is attached to the top ballpoint - u got a pic of what you are looking at?

Nosh

over_the_hill

3,188 posts

246 months

Monday 7th September 2015
quotequote all
Nosh said:
Only one nut is attached to the top ballpoint - u got a pic of what you are looking at?

Nosh


The two bolts that go through horizontally. I have a feeling they might be 7/16 bolts with a 5/8 head

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

167 months

Monday 7th September 2015
quotequote all
over_the_hill said:


The two bolts that go through horizontally. I have a feeling they might be 7/16 bolts with a 5/8 head
I had two new 16mm bolts and nylock nuts for those - it came with my bolt kit I bought from Racetech.

I thought you meant under the ball joint - sorry....smile

Nosh

over_the_hill

3,188 posts

246 months

Monday 7th September 2015
quotequote all
Nosh said:
over_the_hill said:


The two bolts that go through horizontally. I have a feeling they might be 7/16 bolts with a 5/8 head
I had two new 16mm bolts and nylock nuts for those - it came with my bolt kit I bought from Racetech.

I thought you meant under the ball joint - sorry....smile

Nosh
Thanks. At the time it looked like an easier option to take those two out rather than mess about splitting the ball joint and socket. But as I said "at the time ......"
I was using a 12 point socket (I know, I know) so I will pick up a 16mm six point and have another go.

If the head is 16mm I'm guessing the bolt itself is M10 ?

over_the_hill

3,188 posts

246 months

Monday 7th September 2015
quotequote all
Nosh said:
over_the_hill said:


The two bolts that go through horizontally. I have a feeling they might be 7/16 bolts with a 5/8 head
I had two new 16mm bolts and nylock nuts for those - it came with my bolt kit I bought from Racetech.

I thought you meant under the ball joint - sorry....smile

Nosh
Thanks. At the time it looked like an easier option to take those two out rather than mess about splitting the ball joint and socket. But as I said "at the time ......"
I was using a 12 point socket (I know, I know) so I will pick up a 16mm six point and have another go.

If the head is 16mm I'm guessing the bolt itself is M10 ?

QBee

20,984 posts

144 months

Monday 7th September 2015
quotequote all
If you can stretch to it, Halfords £250 170 piece Professional socket set is currently reduced to £125. It has loads of useful stuff, including a set of six-sided sockets. Top quality, life time quarantee, you won't regret it and will always have the right tool for any car job.
I have had mine since Christmas, best tool set I ever bought. They do a 200 piece one for £300, presently reduced to £150.

Just google Halfords 170 piece socket set.


Egg on face time. Popped out to the man cave to check, no 16 mm socket. 13, 14, 15, 17, 19 etc.....

Edited by QBee on Monday 7th September 19:15

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

167 months

Monday 7th September 2015
quotequote all
QBee said:
Egg on face time. Popped out to the man cave to check, no 16 mm socket. 13, 14, 15, 17, 19 etc.....

Edited by QBee on Monday 7th September 19:15
Heh - this made me chuckle!

I had to buy a 16mm spanner and borrowed a 16mm socket to complete the job....

Nosh

PS - my tool kit cost a lot less - best buy recently for me were these.........




Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

167 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
quotequote all
So, I thought I would do a final update to the thread here....

The last step of the refurb was to get a specialist to do my 4 wheel alignment, ride height, suspension setting etc...

I took the Chim over to Mat Smith to undertake the job, as he had come highly recommended by a number of peeps here in the Chim home at PHers.

I also had issues with the clutch slipping in 4th and 5th, so thought it prudent to change the clutch as well - and not sure if it was the original - Mat agreed to undertake this work for me as there was no way I could have done this on my drive (and thanks again to all the ramp offers!!)

Dropped off the car on Wednesday morning - and then picked it up on Sat AM.

Mat did contact me on Friday evening (1830 ish) to say he couldn't start the car - but I had faith in the guy, and as I owed him a lump of dosh anyway I still made my way over to Downham Market on Sat AM.

The car was running lumpy when I dropped it off - and I hoped Mat could have a chance of at least giving me a steer what to look for first...

Arrived Saturday - car started ok in the AM after Mat found an issue with an earth (which, incidentally, I would never have found!). Paid my dosh, had a natter and then drove home.

Mat did say the alignment, steering, camber etc was crap when I delivered it to him - and not really surprising, I suppose, with the amount of work I had done - but the drive home was just unbelievable....night and day.....

The car felt planted - and as the drove more miles (and more corners) I found myself getting more feeling of the car actually doing I wanted it to do than ever before - and hey! Even the steering wheel was straight! (it wasn't when I dropped it off!). The pull from 4th and 5th was spot on - no slip!

The rough running was still there, but Mat gave me some great pointers - and on the way home, dropped into Alex's and managed to pick up some parts for the winter project (cheers matey!).

List of things to sort for the winter is thus:-
Fit new fuel pump
New Fuel filter
Fit Subaru Impreza PAS rack

So, the work I had done on the car in the past few weeks was really rewarding - the car feels completely different to drive in a very good way - and the addition of the headlight mod, refurbished wheels, new bushes all round, new balljoints (and it goes on......) and it means I have a sorted car that needs a couple of little tweaks....

And here she is smile



Nosh


phazed

21,844 posts

204 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
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Really updates the car, you must be very pleased.

thumbup

67Fox

452 posts

111 months

Monday 5th October 2015
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Well done Nosh it's looking great, what a transformation!! thumbupthumbup

QBee

20,984 posts

144 months

Monday 5th October 2015
quotequote all
What's next on your long list?

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

167 months

Monday 5th October 2015
quotequote all
QBee said:
What's next on your long list?
Fuel pump and filter replacement
PAS mod
Dash redo - this time more paint, more lacquer and a shed load of buffing!!!

britpower100

68 posts

126 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
quotequote all
Nosh,

Did you get the diff bushes done, got mine back on Friday apparently they are much fun to get the old ones out.

I am back in MK this friday are you about for a breakfast.

Nosh

Original Poster:

982 posts

167 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
quotequote all
britpower100 said:
Nosh,

Did you get the diff bushes done, got mine back on Friday apparently they are much fun to get the old ones out.

I am back in MK this friday are you about for a breakfast.
Bushes will need doing in the next 12 months, Andy so they can wait....

I will be around Saturday - always up for a visit to the SuperSsmile

Nosh

britpower100

68 posts

126 months

Wednesday 7th October 2015
quotequote all
About 10:00 - 10:30 will be there.