Phil
1st you should have used my method of spring removal. Just lower the A arm all
the way and the spring practically falls out. (I've done this probably 30-40
times, never did the threaded rod or long bolt trick, seems like it would take
forever)
It sounds as if you nut is stripped. Borrow, rent, steal, or buy a nut splitter,
any auto or tool store has them they run about 10-20 bucks. split the nut and it
is off.You will be all day with a hacksaw
they are hardened nuts. Pick up a new 3/8 X 24 nyloc nut while you are at the
store, get 4, never reuse nyloc nuts where safty is concerned and your A arms
should be saftly bolted.
If you are having troubles getting the bolt out, try heat from a propane torch
(bernz-o-matic) to melt out the old bushings. They sometimes rust in there. Also
use a lot of Liquid Wrench, WD 40 is no place near as good at loosening bolts.
Use a suitable drift to tap out the old bolt or a crowbar to lever it out from
the large washer side. Work it back and forth, they are stuburn but not
impossible.
Good luck
Frank
Philip Hubbard wrote:
> Well, I'm just as frustrated as I can be. My whole day off is gone and I
> got zilch done. Subject - suspension upgrade to replace nonexistent and
> worn bushings. Here's the story.
>
> I spent a good part of the day walking (because I have no car) around
> looking for long bolts that are threaded to lower the wishbone off the
> spring and take the springs off. Seems no one sells bolts threaded all the
> way down and are quick to point out to you that no one really needs those.
> Of course, ignoring that =I= need those. Anyway, found a place with
> threaded rod and was able to rig up what I needed to lower the wishbone. I
> got the spring off and then tackled the two inner fulcrum pins. Got one
> nut off. Haynes says to "tap" the fulcrum pin out. Sure. Tapping will
> really work. Ok, so I levered off the two washers on the end with the nut
> without terribly ruining them. Still, no "tapping" the fulcrum pin out. I
> levered it out. One side dismantled. Went to the other side. Nut
> turns....and turns....and turns. I'm thinking it's stripped. Great. Now
> it looks like it may rain a bit so I put the top up and came in to cool
> off. I was getting so frustrated that I couldn't see straight. 11am to
> 6pm and not one bushing in.
>
> So, I turn to the faithful list that has preserved more than one mechanic's
> sanity. What to do now? I don't own many tools and that is half my
> problem. The other half is I don't know what I'm doing. I probably should
> have taken the car to a competent mechanic, signed a second mortgage and
> said "fix it". But silly me, I wanted to learn how to fix my own. Despite
> my current frustration I'm still determined not to remain a mechanical idiot.
>
> What can I do with the ever turning fulcrum nut? Torch it off, angle grind
> it off, hacksaw it off? I don't own a torch or an anglegrinder. I do own
> a hacksaw. :) I can't see that the fulcrum pin is turning. Besides that
> seems impossible given those little tabs they have on the ends. So I guess
> there is no hope of just putting a wrench on it and turning the nut while
> holding the fulcrum pin steady.
>
> Without getting the other side off it doesn't look like I can get the
> bushing on the pin I did get out. It seems to me that I have to get both
> inner pins out, swing the wishbone down, fit the bushings and then swing it
> back up and tighten everything down. Is this right.
>
> Gods above, I haven't even started with the trunnion bushings or the wheel
> bearings. Not to mention the rear suspension.
>
> Help?
>
> Philip
> Burgundy 1974 Midget
--
Frank Clarici Toms River, NJ
Too many LBCs
3 Sprites, an Austin A40, and an Austin Mini all on the road.
1 Jaguar XJ6 family car, 1 Racer Midget project , & 2 Parts Spridgets
Check out my home page at http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut
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