front spring bolt

steve99_old · December 3, 2008 at 7:19 AM

I am on holiday and thought I would re paint my springs but need to know how do i get the front leaf spring bolt out is there a trick ?

jwc66k · December 3, 2008 at 11:32 AM

Consider 'rust' as a villain. The front bolt is a victim. The 'cure' is some penetrating fluid, time and then a lot of torque. If that does not work, you will have to cut the nut off. Unfortunately there is not enough room to swing a big hammer to drive the bolt out. Heat from a torch may have an undesired overall effect on your car (fire), but is an option.

Jim

steve99_old · December 3, 2008 at 3:32 PM

thanks will give it a go

RalphJr · December 3, 2008 at 10:16 PM

Here is a trick to try.

Use lots of WD-40 or other penetrating oil, get the nut off first then use a piece of 2x4 to push against the end of the bolt while you use a big ratchet or impact to spin the bolt from underneath. As you put pressure on the bolt it should start to move breaking up the rust holding it in place - sometimes they even look like they are threaded when they come out. Once you get the bolt flush with the floor spring retainer bracket on the outside you will have enough of the bolt out on the other side that you can use a wrench around the throat of the bolt to do the same thing - make sense? Put a smaller wrench around the bolt shaft - pull on it with one hand while the bolt spins with an impact in the other - it will work its way out.

I've had to do this a few times - even when they are not too rusty.

Once you can get leverage on the bolt and the oil starts working they will eventually come out.

I hope this helps.

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