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Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58, Jeff

jlaird

Great Pumpkin
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Please look at the thread No Progress and let me have your opinions.
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

Jack - you're into the one thing I don't like to mess with: Midget rear springs...if I could develop a time machine, I'd go back & kick that engineer square in the keester!
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

Some one must know if that plate comes off.
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

As far as I know, it's a spotwelded box. But it's been literally decades since I've fussed with one of those cars.

Most likely Jeff is the best source for data on it.
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

I know Ben but I am clutching at straws here. Seems that my only chance is to get that darn plate off.
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

I take it that the bolts broke off inside the spring and the threaded plate sorta thing on top at the back of the mounting housing. Put the spring pack back in place( I bet you have been wiggling it a bunch) and with a 3/8" bit drill upward into the remaining bolt. The holes for the bolts should be your guide. This will take a while. If you use a reverse twist drill and a bunch of really good penetrating oil(not WD-40) You might even get them to back out after they get hot. If not just keep drilling. By now the bolts are soft and with a good shape bit drill out.
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

Had not thought of that, will give it a go tomorrow.
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

Jack, I feel your pain.
JR is right, the only way those puppies are coming out is to drill the bolts out. If you already have the spring clamps removed, you may only have to drill them out far enough to be able to remove a couple of the lower leaves, allowing the spring stack to drop far enough to slide it out. This is going to be a royal pain no matter how it's done. Try to get the drill as centered as possible, and then use a small drill for a pilot hole, and work your way up. If you can file or grind the end of the bolt smooth, this will help in finding the center.
When Tony gets his time machine built, I'll be on board when he goes bas to kick some engineer butt!
The four bolts inside the cockpit don't do a thing when it comes to this operation.
Please remember to wear your safety glasses when you are drilling from underneath!
Jeff
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

And when you reassemble it, use Anti-Seize... YOU may be the next one to have to take it off AGAIN. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

Do not try to use a small pilot drill. It will not work.(you will likely break it off in the bolt) Ask me how I know. Just use a bit that fits snugly in the hole though the springs. The hole will be your guide. You can reclamp the springs in place to help hold the whole mess still will you drill.
The design guys only meant for the cars to last four years.That was the plan at the corporate level. From that perspective maybe they should be highly regarded or maybe fired for making the cars too good...from a sales perspective.
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

Anti-Seize, good very good. I use it on everything. Even my socks. Don't forget it will jump out of the bottle on you.
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

I'm ~very neat~. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

Ha, going to give this a go today and will report back. Have taken all the guidance into account and will do my best.
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

Jack,
I went through a similar issue when I resprung my midget. I ended up having to drill out one of the bolts too. I used a left handed cobalt drill bit. Broke the small one I wanted to use as a pilot (no matter what you've encountered, it seems as jolly has already been there done that) but was able to get the bit back out. I then hit it with a larger bit that was the same size as the hole in the spring plate. I totally trashed the threads that was in the "nut" the manufactured welded so I went with a new grade 8 bolt and a jam nut up inside the body where the original nut was. Seems to be holding just fine.
JC
 
Re: Tony, Jollyroger, Doc, Bugeye 58

Thanks for that.

I have both to do. All the way.

Just came back from Ace, got a De Walt Colbalt high speed drill bit. Next trip will be to Home Depot. Bet I need half a dozen more. lol
 
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