your biggest spannering win against the odds...

[Y282]

JUST got in from doing a tie rod and a drop link. the drop link was an UTTER, UTTER c*** to get off. i ended up sawing the bottom swivel cup with a junior hacksaw fitted with a wood blade to break it so i could get stilsons on it. i heated it, froze it, hammered it, shouted at it, pleaded with it, shouted at it a bit more, drank tea, hit it again, hit myself in the process, pulled muscles i didn't know i had but now am scared to poo because of and FINALLY it came off. the tie rod by comparison took less time to do than this post took to type.

so, after i beat this thing armed only with tools from a xmas cracker it seemed to be the best win i've got from inappropriate or inadequate tools for the job. anyone beat it?

[Y282]

ejenner said:

hur, couldn't get a driveshaft out of a Subaru front hub. I read elsewhere on the net that if they're stuck that's pretty much it. They should just push out or maybe if you lightly tap with a hammer. I had to replace the whole hub. I've got a 10-ton hydraulic press and all the different kinds of hammers... nothing would move it. Not quite the same as your tale in that I had to actually buy new parts to get it done... but that was a ba5tard

stuff getting stuck is a proper demoraliser. had the m3 sat on the drive up on 3 looking like a broken p*k*y wagon and could NOT shift it. in the end i think i used every sodding tool i have and it took frigging HOURS t do what should have taken 20 mins. i was so chuffed i nearly kept the piece for a picture but sometimes you just have to move on with your life, you know?

[Y282]

supersingle said:

Buy an angle grinder!

I'm currently in the process of rebuilding a 205 rear beam. It's making me insane.

i have an angle grinder. a broken one on the shelf in the garage that i really must get round to replacing. i actually had to use a creme brulee blowtorch at one point. it was all very civilized.

[Y282]

poo at Paul's said:

Y282 said:

i actually had to use a creme brulee blowtorch at one point.

Brilliant!!
Did you decide to finally give up when you got the whisk out!! ?

i used half a can of lighter gas in the sodding thing getting the joint up to temperature.

[Y282]

sparkybean said:

Very timely thread

Just finished changing the engine in a fiesta, on a budget of £100 quid. Half of that was the cost of the car. Made slightly more complicated due to me buying an engine that is very subtly different in many frustrating ways (carbed mk2 engine into a mk3) The smooth-as-silk purr that i can hear now brings a massive sense of accomplishment.

good feeling innit? for the first time in god knows how long my m3 doesn't shake like hell when i brake.

i done that.

[Y282]

sparkybean said:

Y282 said:

I done that.

Nail on the head. Fantastic.

now taking bets for my next thread title.

"you know that handling/roadholding dependent job i did on the m3...?"