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Rear Suspension

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Les

Senior Member
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I'm currently replace all the suspension components on my 72 B. I've got all the nuts off the bolts and all the bolts out except for the bolts at the font of the rear leaf spring....I can turn the bolts, but can't seem to get them to come out. I've tried a hammer, lifting the spring up to different angles, nothing....Any suggestions ? I'm considering cutting the bolt head off with a grinder and trying to punch the bolt back through ...Good Idea ?

Thanks,

Les
 
I ended up grinding the head off one of the rear spring bolts in my Midget...same problem you had (even after lots of Liquid Wrench, etc. ).

The other side came off "hard", but I was able to do it....clamped a vise grip to the head and kept hitting it (the vise grip) with a hammer while I twisted the bolt back and forth.

Years ago I drilled out a similar bolt (but not on a Brit car)....first drilled 1/4", then 3/8" and so forth until the bolt fell apart....very slow way to do it though.

I've seen a flat punch that you can put in an air-chisel....might work in your case, but I've never tried it.
 
The front bolts were no problem for me, now the left rear shackle was just d*#n difficult to reach. Be sure to review the notes in the Haynes Manual. I would try replacing the nut on the bolt and with a wooden block to protect the threads hit it with a hard hammer to see if you can start it out. Plan 2 would be to use a punch to see if you can punch it thru.
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Ok, I have no skin on my knuckles...but I got one of the two springs off....I grinded the head off and it still wouldn't budge, but I got enough play that way to get the grinder disk in between the spring and the bracket....That's the good news...I grinded the other head and it basically welded the bolt to the bracket...So I guess my only other choice is to drill..Turns out the bolt is actually stuck in the rubber bushing. Does anybody know if there are springs or anything inside the rubber bushing ?
Thanks for the replies.

Les
 
the rubber bushings have steel sleeves in the them (did in my car, anyway). The steel sleeves rust to the bolts and *thats* the problem. I feel for you....I think I still have scars from that job!

On some cars (not sure about rear on MGB), you can replace the rubber bushings (and their troublesome sleeves) with solid poly (plastic) bushings. These are a "performance" item, but they're also much easier to service, since no rust occurs. My last three Spridgets had poly bushings...they're not overly-harsh for a steet car.

I also recall drilling a series of holes in the rubber bushings (to "tear them up") so that I could get a bolt out....also (not recommended) I've seen folks burn out the rubber bushings with a oxy-acet torch....whatever it takes, I guess.
 
aeronca65t, I wish you had better news.....so much for the knuckles...

Thanks for the info............


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gene johnston
Senior Member
Member # 666
Rate Member
posted 06-14-2002 05:58 AM
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i'm rebuilding the rear suspension on my '70 B. what's the best way to remove the spring bushings. do they have to be pressed out?
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Posts: 29 | From: Ridgeland, MS | Registered: May 2002

LYLE
Senior Member
Member # 520
posted 06-14-2002 07:04 AM
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Hi Gene - I tackled this about a year ago and though i'd share my idea with you. I went down to a hardware store and bought a black iron pipe nipple that was the approximate diameter of the spring and slightly larger diameter than the bushing. Also bought a piece of all-thread rod, a few nuts, and a collection of various diameter washers (get the thick plate ones, not thin ones, as they will distort - basically cup - as you retract the old bushing.) I then sprayed some wd-40 on the old bushing, inserted the all-thread thru this one as well as the new one, backed up the new one with the washers and a couple of nuts (2 nuts so you can tighten them together to prevent turning) and put the nipple on the opposite side of the old bushing, put a few washers on top of that and then finally one nut. Then I put a box end wrench on it and started drawing the old bushing out and the new one in by tightening the nut. - works well and i had just about used up my patience before this. Beats having to remove the springs entirely from the car.
good luck

lyle


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Posts: 19 | From: dallas, texas | Registered: Mar 2002



All times are MT (US)
 
Les, I realize you haven't been able to remove bolts from metal sleeves that are in bushings but thought if you did get to that point the prior postings might move you along.
 
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