Wedge rear lower suspension bolt

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Peeps


Popped out earlier and just as I turned off the motorway I felt a clunk and the back end became a large bowl of grey jelly...Not good...

On inspection the outer lower suspension bolt had snapped...Mind you its been in there 30 years..

The irony is I have two new bolts in the boot...Just no jack...Drift...Big hammer..Blowtorch or bottle of whiskey....

It was a bit precarious getting off the detachable bed truck, the wheel buckled twice and had to be jacked up and popped back in to be able to move it, I just hope it hasn't bent the inner bolt or fractured the A frame fixing...

Now I would say to you if you haven't done already then please...Change yours...







Cheers


Ziga

Now where that Wedge on a recovery truck thread gone...

[mrzigazaga]

mk1fan said:

And there was me thinking you were messing about with the fuel pump wiring.

Should be fixed by now.

New fuel pump & Filter fitted ages ago...Oh and a new pump wiring loom...

[mrzigazaga]

KKson said:

Glad it's a simple fix and more importantly you and car are safe. Cheers.

Thanks Keith...Not sure how simple it will be until I have a go at fixing it.....

adam quantrill said:

Quite similar to my failure but the 400SX wheelarches are made of sterner stuff - just some mild rubbing, no other damage.

Hi Adam...

When yours snapped did it snap and leave the nut and bolt part in the hub and is there enough room to extract it pulling it towards the front of the car?...The rear part should pull out from the rear but its the front part that concerns me....


Cheers


Ziga

[mrzigazaga]

Tasmin200 said:

You were lucky with that Mark, that could have been a bad one.

Yes indeedy...I always say that I'm unluckily lucky...You know...Lose a million but find a thousand...

[mrzigazaga]

Thanks for all the helpful advice, however I have decided to not attempt it in the street...For obvious reasons, and some not so obvious...

1. I don't really have the correct tools needed for all scenarios....Including a 38mm socket, Torque wrench and breaker bar.
2. I do not have a press.
3. I would have to leave the car on axle stands for days if I can get the wishbone off....Not good when couriers bash into your car when its parked outside.
4. I need new bushes just in case.

And last but not least

5. I definitely do not have the patience for such a trying job


So I'm ordering the bush kit...Utilising all of next week by spraying the offending parts with some Deblock penetrating oil and have a trailer booked to take me to a fellow Wedger next weekend, who has his own garage with all the necessary equipment...And knows what he is doing...(I think)...

If its worth doing then its worth doing properly.

I would suggest that you all check yours as this is NOT something you want to happen especially if you are like me and enjoy spirited driving.

Take care out there fellow Wedgers...

Regards


Ziga

[mrzigazaga]

adam quantrill said:

I didn't think it took me more that 3 hours, 1.5 of that was extracting the siezed bit out of the shocker bush.

I didn't have to remove the A frame (that's a lot more work and one for another day) so if I were in a similar situation I could have replaced the wheel for the overnight while I fiddled with the shocker - although it would have sat quite low on that side - but could have had an axle stand under there too.

The socket isn't that big for the 1/2" bolt - I would give it a go first, and if you get stuck, then call in the pros.

Thanks Adam


Im going to have a good look at it tomorrow as the weather is supposed to be good...Mines snapped from the shock bush back and left the piece with the nut on in the hub, I'm really hoping that its not seized, although I tried a 19mm socket on the bolt head and it wouldn't budge...

I have a micro blowtorch and some penetrating rust eating oil...If this bolt comes out easy then I will start going to church ....Only to confess my sins that is...

[mrzigazaga]

Thanks for the heads up.....Still waiting for the weather to perk up a bit to have a better look, however I seriously think that I will be taking it to my fellow Wedger and friend who knows what to do as it his livelihood ..

My other concern would be the side that hasn't snapped, not sure I could travel up motorways with a clear mind...There would always be that worry'so if this one does come out relatively easy then we will change the other side along with bushes.

Again I share my concerns...If you haven't changed your suspension or addressed these bolts...EVER!...Then I implore you...PLEASE do.

I would hate immensely to read of anyone being less fortunate.


Im ordering a full rear A frame suspension kit from Superflex and will have all the rear wishbone and suspension bushes changed.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.su...

Part number
SF384-1032-95KSS

Thanks


Ziga

[mrzigazaga]

adam quantrill said:

What's the mileage on your car Zig? Mine failed at 82k.

About 86K....

[mrzigazaga]

adam quantrill said:

Hmmmm... better do the other side then.

Anyone know about ultrasonic inspection? Could one check for impending cracks by sending a sounds wave down the bolt head and looking for a reflection?

Don't some do that for chassis?

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Wilf


Nice to hear from you...

Mine is a 19mm headed bolt with a threaded end that has a nut on it, The bolt is around 15cm or so...

Im sure it would be the same...??


Regards


Ziga

[mrzigazaga]

Wedg1e said:

mrzigazaga said:

Don't some do that for chassis?

When I did the factory tour at Back Home in the late 90s I asked the 'guide' if they did any x-ray or ultrasonic inspection on the chassis... his eyes did that shifty side-to-side thing and he said "...er yeah, something like that...".
At the time they were building Cerberas, Chimaeras etc.

What you laughing at..They do it for railways...Im sure you would get a chassis under it.....

[mrzigazaga]

Wedg1e said:

Be interesting to define whether it's tension, shear or impact that's breaking the bolts though, if it's not x-section loss from corrosion.

I can see a lot of corrosion around the outer bolt that has snapped, So I'm convinced that the seizure of the bolt in its bush sleeves and hub is the telling factor...Also I'm aware there is around a ton of force on the bolt when cornering.......

[mrzigazaga]

Mmmm...Not sure then mate...I have driven the Wedge a bit hard here and there and the roads in sunny south London might as well of stayed cobbled....I have hit a few potholes in the past ...I know I will be able to drive with more confidence knowing they are new...

[mrzigazaga]

Good news...Poppy back all done all thanks to Mr King...Top bloke...

The passenger side was seized and the long bolt had a bend in the threaded end so it was just a matter of time before that snapped as well...Both rear wishbones have new bushes and new bolts..And have been copper slipped...

Feels much more compliant to the road surface now...
Here are all the old bushes and bolts.....



Cheers Mr cake....

[mrzigazaga]

adam quantrill said:

Have you got the ends of the snapped one? It would be interesting to see if they are similar to mine - any corrosion in the crack.

A happy ending then.

Hopefully Paul can share those pics...I looked at the passenger long bolt and as Paul pointed out that was bent on the threaded part so was already being stressed, a ticking time bomb ....So glad both sides were done..peace of mind is a wonderful feeling...And so is driving the Wedge after being two weeks without it...Even if it was raining with the roof off....

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Peeps

Just an update on the bolt..I must say that the handling of the car has improved dramatically...When i wheel spin off the back end doesn't fish tail any more...So new tyres are in order in preparation for this summers fun...

Have you at least checked your bolts???....
Looks a bit rusty in there but its actually solid, the rear tie bars are in good order too...Just needs me to spend some time cleaning off all the oil and covering the exposed parts with paint instead...

Although I might have to borrow a fellow Wedge owners two poster...


Big shout out to PK500 for being a top bloke as well as friend.....

[mrzigazaga]

adam quantrill said:

You need to get those tyres punished Zig round some corners - tsk tsk the injection rubber spikes are still on there!

The edges look new mate...Its just the inners that are on the limit...Booked some fast response at £80 per side so they should leave less rubber when I floor it...