Support Team Shaun_E Posted February 15, 2009 Support Team Share Posted February 15, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie. Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiddy1 Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsn Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Williams Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Durrant Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon.Rogers1 Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSL Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I'm pretty sure I have a spare spacer too if you get stuck & have to cut it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted February 15, 2009 Author Support Team Share Posted February 15, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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