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Steering Rack Question / Removing a stubborn Front Shock Bolt - Progress on Bugsy II

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Jim_Gruber

Jim_Gruber

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A couple of questions on Bugsy II. I removed Steering column, Steering Wheel, and Steering Rack from Bugsy II. I went to remove the Rack Mounts to the frame and discovered that the PS of my LHD Bugeye has a spacer that fits behind the rack mount. A plate about 1/16" thick. The DS Rack Mounting Plate did not have any such spacer. Is this supposed to be there or some creative attempt with frame alignment that was done by a P.O.? Ideas guys. A flat plate with two drilled holes, rounded corners that if I had not taken these brackets off it would be unseen. Thoughts gentlemen?

One more Shock mount bolt to remove on the DS. The front bolt right by the pivot arm. My HF Electric Impact Gun hammered away on it for a few minutes to no avail. don't want to break out the IR 600 Foot Pound Impact Wrench unless I have to as I don't want to chance breaking the shock mount bolt. Two other two bolts spun loose. Other than PB Blaster liberally administered already, thoughts on getting this bad boy removed.

1) retightening the other two bolts to make sure the shock in not cockeyed after removing the other two bolts.

2) more PB Blaster

3) Heat, makes me nervous as I don't want to melt something internal on the shock.

4) Fire up the Heavy Duty Impact Wrench.

Thoughts gentlemen?

Other than removing LF Shock and RR Shock, Bugsy is ready to go on the Rotisserie. There is nothing left that can be removed from the chassis.
 
On a LH drive car, the shim should be between front of steering rack support and mount on the RH side!
 
Break it off, remove the shock and weld a nut onto the remaining bolt.
 
Apply heat to the shock mount from underneath and then rattle gun on the bolt. It likely the shocks will need refurb anyway which is easier than stuffing up the shock mount point. Alternative is to let it snap, grind it flat, center punch and drill, followed by retap. Risky if it snaps below shock mount surface though ....

good luck.
Lew
 
Come to think of it where things will be rusted up will be from underneath. Tine to get the torch out tomorrow.
 
No need for the torch. Put the two shock bolts back in and tightened them down and then tried the stubborn bolt. After about three tries with the electric impact wrench it spun out along with the other two. Only thing left to pull is RR shock. Too much yard work today not enough Bugsy time. Just glad for warmer temps finally.
 
That shim/spacer should be there on all cars- it always goes on the side opposite of the steering column
Congrats on getting that bolt out
BillM
 
Good to know. Spacer was a surprise. I think putting other two bolts back in was the key to getting last bolt out. Now to extract one more shock in the rear plus bottom bracket for spring mounting plate. Once that is done need to get engine stands assembled and think about getting it on the rotisserie. Thinking chain hoist in the rear with a rope to each side of the board mounted across turn signal lights. Will run a rope to each side and lift from center to balance. If front will borrow engine crane from neighbor. Same arrangement lift in the center with rope going to each side of frame horns. Hmmm might not be room to get a crane in there plus engine stand. Could be brute force with 4 guys to lift up the front. One way or another I will plan it out. I have a nice I beam in the back of the garage to use as a leverage point. Garage ceiling is low just over 7.5 feet.

Rut's idea of just get it up on sawhorses may be what I need to do.
 
Will be adding 6" wheels to bottom of engine stands with big U Bolts and tying the bases together to make things more stable so I can roll outside for pressure washing and painting underside.
 
Post some pics of your contraption when you get it done, I'd like to see it.
 
Will do.
 
I have been away from the forum for a while and happened back tonight since I am looking to get my sprite project back in action and happened to read this thread. I always wondered why there was one shim on the rack and now I know (and I know where it goes). Thanks!
 
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