Lower wishbone damper mount bolt sheared

[Shaun_E]

The lower wishbone damper mount bolt has sheared on my car. The breakpoint is about half way inside the damper sleeve, so the damper won't come away from the wishbone.

I believe I have 2 options:

1) cut through the bolt between the damper and the wishbone

2) sacrifice the wishbone - take an angle grinder to it either side of the mounting point

Which would you do or is there another solution?

An added complication is that the damper is a Nitron with spherical bearings instead of rubber bushes.

Solution 1 looks tricky as there is very little room - maybe a thin hacksaw blade would fit?

Solution 2 is easy enough but will cost me a new wishbone. If I can't get the bolt stub out I'll need a new one anyway.

Help please!

 

Yellow SL #32 - member of Drowned Rat Racing

 

Edited by - Shaun_E on 15 Feb 2009 16:22:49

[Willie.]

Could you drill it out the inside diameter of the sleeve?

 

Likely a fancy high tensile bolt though, but worth a try. Make sure the drill doesn't break though...

 

Willie

[tiddy1]

I have had to cut these bolts off several times before, you can usually get a saw between the wishbone and damper bush but I have not had to do one with sphericals. worst case if you damage the spherical you can pop a new one in

 

Simon

[millsn]

Two things to try maybe after letting the joint soak in duck oil or 3 in 1 (not WD40 which doesn't penetrate:

1) Drill out the bolt diameter with a very small drill bit and then drive in a hex key of some sort (governed by access possibilities), OR

2) Not sure that this will work due to access diameter but you can get a thread removing tool called a grabbit which works but may be too large a diameter to fit through your bush. Imagine you could easily sacrifice the bush though if this proves a problem.

here

 

no.6

[Adrian Williams]

Or option 3.

 

Cut through the Nitron ali spacer and sheared bolt in the hope that it leaves a stub that's big enough to get a grip on. That way you save the wishbone but need a new spacer which can't be expensive.

 

If you save the spacer as per your option 3 you'll strggle to get the bolt stub out.

 

If you cut it and leave a stub, soak it for a couple of days before trying to remove it.

 

Adrian

[Mark Durrant]

Shaun

 

I agree with Adrian and may have a spare spacer in the garage. Let me know if you want me to venture into the cold to check

 

Mark D

Comp Sec

 

[Simon.Rogers1]

Its not that cold. I've completed the rebuild of the rear this afternoon.

 

Shaun what side is the wishbone.

 

I have a spare - yeh yeh it is straight before any jibes!

[DSL]

I'm pretty sure I have a spare spacer too if you get stuck & have to cut it

[Shaun_E]

Thanks everyone. I'll take a hacksaw/dremel/angle grinder (whatever fits!) to cut through the spacer and bolt and see what I am left with.

I think Michael has some spare spacers but if not then Mark or Darren I'll give you a shout thanks. If the wishbone is toast then a spare would be great Simon - it's the driver's side - annoyingly the only new one on the car!

 

Yellow SL #32 - member of Drowned Rat Racing