Front Suspension Lower Bolts

[Ray Stewart]

I've just spent a very frustrating weekend trying to remove the bottom bolts from my 1996 Crossflow front suspension. I now have an offside knacked Hexagonal bolt and a very tight n/s bolt. Although both bolts started off turning OK they both seemed to get tighter the more I undid them. The hex nuts are 1/4".

 

I've got the front of the car on axle stands and a trolley jack under the wishbone to try and support it and take weight off the bottom bolt, but still no luck. Any ideas on how I can now remove the rounded hex nut and how to loosen the other one? I've been applying penetrating oil to both bolts daily for nearly 2 weeks but it doesn't seem to have made any difference.

 

Any help would be gratefully recieved otherwise I may have to miss Baywatch and the Anniversary bash

 

Many thanks

Ray

 

Edited by - Ray Stewart on 19 Aug 2007 20:05:53

[Paul McKenzie]

They're 5/16 not 1/4, and you need to make sure the hex drive head you put in there fits exactly i.e. belt it it with a hammer if it's at all corroded, so that's why you've knackered them ..however that's not a lot of help is it? IMHO you're a bit stuck now and might have to revert to drastic means (high tensile star-drive belted in, blowtorch, lots of heat, then repowder-coat)

 

Paul

 

Edited by - Paul McKenzie on 19 Aug 2007 20:31:35

[F355GTS]

Ray

 

the problem I suspect you have is that the steel bolt is corroded inside the aluminium sleeve that is inside the Steel liner of the lower damper mount, that's why it started to undo then seized.

 

As Paul says they are 5/16 not 1/4. It's difficult but if you could cut through the bolt either side of the damper, the head will fall out and I suspect the remaining threaded part will undo easily from the Wishbone, it would then be advisable to remove the damper and work on the remaining part of seized bolt. It might be easier to remove the damper/wishbone assembly and work off the car

 

Mark

[Ray Stewart]

Hi Mark & Paul

 

Many thanks for your comments. I thought it would require drastic measures. Nothing simple when it comes to maintaining a 7! However, my bolts are most definitely 1/4" not 5/16". A 5/16" hex drive is far too big. In fact the replacement bolts I got from Redline have an even smaller hex head of 7/32"! I can't believe that Caterham have a bolt with such a small head in such a crucial area.

 

I did wonder about trying to cut the bolt between the damper but wasn't sure if this might damage the wishbone. Although taking the whole wishbone assembly off may make it easier to get to.

 

Well looks like I've either got a bit of work to do or spend a bit of money or both!

 

Thanks again

Ray

[Mark Gregory]

Guys, I think you're talking at cross-purposes here. Mark & Paul are referring to the thread diameter of the bolt, whereas Ray is talking about the allen key (cap head - hex. socket) across flats (A/F) measurement.

Good luck getting it out Ray, be sure to smear plenty of grease on the new bolt when you re-assemble.

[Ray Stewart]

Hi Mark

 

Thanks for your input. I think you've hit the nail or rather bolt on the head about the size confusion. Just shows what a technical numpty I am not realising about the thread diameter as opposed to the Hex head diameter.

 

If I can get the old dampers off I was planning to use some copper slip on the new bolts which seems the thing to do looking at similar threads.

 

Thanks again for your input.

 

Ray