Rich Posted July 11, 2011 Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 When I lowered the car I had the aggro of both front pinch bolts snapping and it took me 2 days to drill them out! The rears I undid the suspension arms and kept the knuckle on the strut. Obviously I need to separate these now I'm breaking the car. I know you've lowered Mondeos at WIM Tony and had no issues with the bolts. Is this cos you used the air gun on them to shock them out? If they do snap how can they be drilled out quickly? I've heard some garages have massive drills that will go straight through the bolt leaving a clean hole. Is this something you can do at WIM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted July 11, 2011 Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 I would cut the bolt down the "key way" to remove pressure, this way you can remove the bolt side of things and then just drill the threaded side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 The front 2 I did snapped within 1 or 2 turns so you couldn't even cut the bolt, I had to drill the whole way through. They are usually seized so much you can't even get the non threaded bit out without drilling it. Would it be worth trying the air gun on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I undid one of them yesterday by 1/2", which took an hour in between doing other bits to let the bolt cool down. It was VERY tight and I was working it back and forwards to losen all the crap. I manged to snap a 1/2" to 1/4" convertor as well so need a new one of those. I also had to borrow a 1/2" 18 socket, would you believe the halfords 150 piece kit doesn't come with one but has 17 and 19!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 18 is uncommon so i'm not surprised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I would've thought so as well, an 18" socket must be massive!! If it's uncommon then I won't buy one. Crafty edit there removing the " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 It is Monday morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I know, I got up 45 minutes late, although only 5 minutes late for work. Not that I should've rushed in!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Another nothing to do day then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 Guess what, both have snapped, FFS! One I got out 1/2" so I should be able to cut the bolt in half. The other one I got 1 and 1/2 turns before it went so am stuffed! I want to sell the knuckles with the ABS sensors as these can't be removed so the bolts need to come out. What would WIM do if this happened there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 Cut through the centre of the blot, heat the hub and screw the threaded end of the into the centre of the hut, cutting the bolt as it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 How do you mean the centre, either side of where the bolt passes through the shock? I can do that on one side but the other I only got 1 and half turns so it's not opened up enough. Although I could try to force it open. What am I screwing into the threaded end? Wouldn't it be easier to take it somewhere that has the tools to drill straight through it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 The bolt pinches the hub together, if you open that space you can grab the remaining thread and screw the bolt inwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 But the bolt is so tight and probably seized (which is why it snapped) I don't think that will work. The bolt goes through a hole in the shock so to release that you need to cut either side of it. That won't leave much bolt left to grab hold of. We tried that with the fronts as well, heating it up and trying to punch the non threaded end out but it wouldn't budge, I had to drill the whole bolt out in the end on both sides. It might be better if I bring the knuckles over and show you what I mean. At least this time I don't have to rush to get it done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 Bring them over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 Once I've got them off I will, it'll be easier to explain in person. I don't even need the knuckles but the ABS sensors can't be removed without snapping so I need to sell them complete. I don't think anyone will with a snapped bolt inside. I think Jammy has only ever snapped 1 bolt, don't know how he managed to undo the others, even using lots of plusgas and working the bolt back and forwards didn't work, stupid Ford! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Well I managed to open up the knuckle with bolt that snapped when all the way through so I can cut through them to take the struts out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Was it a bugger....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Nope, I used a chisel and massive hammer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Yep that'll do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 Cut through both bolts today and got the struts out. I manage to loosen the remaining bolt on the non threaded side but can't remove it as the gap isn't wide enough when you open the knuckle. I'll have a go at drilling the remaining bolt and see if I can get it to undo with an extractor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 19, 2011 Report Share Posted September 19, 2011 Be careful if you use an "easy out" because the poxy things always snap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2011 Might give them a miss then and just try to drill them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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