Guest Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 I am currently trying to replace my tall FIA roll bar with a standard FIA item, however removal of the bolts above the rear damper is proving impossible. I have tried the ground down socket technique with no luck, and the irwin bolt grips. The problem is clearly a combination of the shallow bolt head, the surprising amount of torque required and difficult access. It seems that when I have the required extension bars fitted to get decent leverage,too much flex causes the bolt grip/sock to just slip off the bolt head. I have been consious not to make too much of a mess of the bolt heads as this will just make the situation worse. I have also tried a a second pair of hands applying upward pressure to the soket whilst I try to rotate it, but this also is to no avail. Has anybody got any other suggestions that may help as I am getting severley frustrated? Thanks in advance, Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Are you past the stage of soaking it in penetrating oil? Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richy Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Can you get a hydraulic jack underneath the socket extensions to apply upward pressure? And a large person inside the car so you can apply extra force 😬 Richy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbutnotslow Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Second Richy. 3/8 sockets are smaller and easier to work with than 1/2" To make matters worse the 1/2 head bolt sits in a small recess. Socket Extension bar and breaker bar on the extension . Place a jack under the breaker bar and apply upward pressureand turn. They will normally come undone using this method This is what they look like Edited by - oldbutnotslow on 17 May 2014 20:58:34 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tin duck dave Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 3/8 socket and wobble bar extension to help. Essential to be really square on the bolt head and hold it square when applying force or socket will jump off head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbird Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 may have to remove mine in near future, is there a reason that a thin head bolt is used, could it be replaced with a hex or torx head bolt , or indeed a normal head Tim Edited by - tbird on 18 May 2014 17:52:56 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Williams Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Tim The slim head is to clear the top eye of the damper, a standard hex, cap, torx etc will clash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Thanks for the replies, I really felt that the trolley jack method was clutching at straws.......but it worked! I now have a super cool double diaganol FIA roll bar fitted, and a tall FIA bar in vgc will be for sale very shortly :-) Once again thanks to the POBC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbird Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 Adrian Thanks Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now