>My Spit 1500 failed it's MOT last week. One of the problems was
>"excessive movement in offside rear trunion bushes". I stripped out
>the half-shaft last night and found that the trunion bolt is seized
>into the trunion. The only movement that was occuring was between
>the vertical link and the bolt, causing the bolt-holes in the
>vertical link to wear oval.
>(The rear trunion is also sometimes called "inner hub" or "bearing
>housing")
>This bolt feels like it is _welded_ to the trunion. I tried the
>large hammer technique and a long extension on a socket to try to
>turn the b*st*rd, but no luck. I took off the lubrication plug and
>the trunion looks full of grease so I don't quite understand which
>bits have seized.
>Some questions:
>1. How do I get the bolt out ? Drill ?
I have always ground the ends of the bolt flush with the housing, then apply a
bit of force to the upright(the bit that the bearing housing is 'mean't' to
pivot in), the driveshaft should then pull out with the remains of the bolt and
the bushes still in, this is the hard part to remove(usually), try drilling,
burning, clouting with a big hammer, two sockets in a vice, thermo-nuclear
device, etc
>2. Will I need to replace the trunion ?
No, not usually, unless excessively worn.
>3. As the bolt holes in the vertical link have worn, should I
> replace the vertical link ?
As above, you could always try welding them up, and re-drilling them. Do one
at a time and use the other hole as a 'rough' guide. Best bet would be to use
a drill press to get the holes in the correct position.
>4. Should I just try to get a complete half-shaft ? (expensive,
> but then I don't have to do 1-3 above plus press off and replace
> the hub, bearings etc)
Why have you got to press the hub off? British Sports Car Centre in London do
complete recon rear drive shafts inc UJ,Bearings and bushes, don't know the
price though. I can find you the address if you want, they normally advertise
on the back of the Courier. Phil.W- do you know there address?
>5. When (if) I finally get around to reassembly what should the
> torque setting be for the trunion bolt - the Haynes manual
> dosen't specify.
Can't help on that one I'm afraid, anyone else have any idea? I have always
just tightened them up so that it is tight but the housing can still pivot
relatively easy in the upright.
>Anyone who has been here before, please help a frustrated Spit
>owner. The forecast is for mid 90's F here this week and I'm stuck
>in the wife's Vauxhall Cavalier :(
A what!!! Don't swear on these pages please :-)
Hope the above was atleast slightly useful, you won't be coming to the
Leicester Area sunshine rally this weekend then eh!!! :-)
Rich
Northampton
England.
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