Next silly question.... bottom front shock bolts

[pupp]

You guessed it, stuck tight. Nut off ok, but the bolt is seized in to the shock bush. Methods please?

The assembly is off the car.

[GreenV8S]

Can't quite visualise the access you've got, but I'd try to put a socket over the bolt head to apply loads directly on the flange and rest that on something solid, put a nut on the end of the bolt flush with the outer face (to protect the thread), and use a drift to hit the center of the bolt. Loads of penetrating oil left to soak first, obviously.

[pupp]

Access very tight Pete (just for a change)... the mount is on the reverse of the channel section of the wishbone. It's ringspanners only and no room for drifting... hence the plea for tips

[shpub]

Hacksaw through being very careful is the last resort. Heat and penetrating oil might free it if cutting scares you.

[GreenV8S]

What state is the wishbone in - you planning on replacing it any time soon?

[trackcar]

Very common unfortunately .. I just chop a slot through the bottom eye of the damper with an angle grinder and smack it to bits with a hammer and chisel, teh bottom eye just breaks off. Then do teh same for teh outer sleeve of damper bush you've then exposed, then teh same for teh inner sleeve of same bush to release the bolt.. By doing this you save trashing the bolt which are difficult to get hold of in the right length.

[pupp]

Thanks guys for the replies... since posting this (and due to poking a prybar through the sidewall of the wishbone whilst trying to lever out the bolt), I've decided to replace bottom wishbones and the shocks. Looks like the bolt is the only bit worth salvaging out of the whole mess

Project creep, I think it's called

[v8sag]

Probably a no,no,but iv'e drilled a 5mm hole in the front lower wishbone's in direct line of the bolt,then smacked the bolt out with a steel rod or you can use an old screw driver,you can then put a small dab of paint on the hole for protection.

[pupp]

v8sag said:

Probably a no,no,but iv'e drilled a 5mm hole in the front lower wishbone's in direct line of the bolt,then smacked the bolt out with a steel rod or you can use an old screw driver,you can then put a small dab of paint on the hole for protection.

I considered that and possibly would have tried it if the wishbones had been otherwise healthy... I probably would have filled the hole with weld as it would act as a bit of a stress-raiser (prolly would anyway). Bloody Tivs :blah

[GreenV8S]

pupp said:

Project creep, I think it's called

Top wishbone looking OK? That chassis could do with a coat of paint while you're at it, hmm, access is tricky might need to lift the engine out, hmm no point doing half a job body off for the back bits, silly to put the mechanical bits back without reconditioning, might as well treat it to some new brakes while you're at it, gosh that bonnet could *really* do with a respray ...

[David H]

GreenV8S said:

pupp said: Project creep, I think it's called Top wishbone looking OK? That chassis could do with a coat of paint while you're at it, hmm, access is tricky might need to lift the engine out, hmm no point doing half a job body off for the back bits, silly to put the mechanical bits back without reconditioning, might as well treat it to some new brakes while you're at it, gosh that bonnet could *really* do with a respray ...

Story of my life....

[shpub]

I've got new shock bolt kits on my website if that's any help. The nice short ones that are dead easy to fit inside the wishbone. www.tvrextras.co.uk

[pupp]

Thanks Steve... I'm hoping any new shocks I source will come complete, but if not...