Spring removal - stuck! Help please.
 

Can't get the rear spring off because the 10mm bolts that hold the rollbar U-bracket to the subframe are so rusty the heads have rounded off. Hence the upper arm won't go down (the rollbar stops it) and I can't get the spring out.

Is there another way?

I'm getting really hacked off with all these rusty bolts. :mad: The car is teetering on the scrapyard brink again.

PS.

Trailing arm is off.
Damper is off.
Hub, disc, caliper & backplate are off.
Lower & upper arms are only held on by their respective subframe bolts (which are also rusted to blazes).

https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-GRID001546

Rollbar link to upper arm bolt #7 is out.
Nut #6 is off.
Bracket #3 is causing the problem

For ancient bolt heads , Irwin bolt removers or stilsons are my favourites :shrug::}

Yes there is an easier way , drop the subframe at the side you want the spring from by undoing the subframe bolts ;)

You should then get enough room to get the spring out ;)

Russ

It's only a 10mm bolt and only the head is get-at-able (there are 4 of them). I don't think stilsons will do the trick - bolts too small to get a grip. Irwins might but that's another £20-£25.

Will the subframe drop on the offside just by loosening the 2 offside bolts (also rusty!)?

Well worth the money you will use them time & time again on our cars ;)


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IRWIN-5-P...oAAOSwOrlZ3ci4

Good quality six sided socket is a must.

If it still wont move and you don't want to loosen the sub frame simply drill the bolts out and use nuts and bolts as you can get to the back of them.

LINK

If you are removing the springs as part of your subframe removal, then the above link can be used as a reference.

Leave the ARB fitted to the subframe, then remove it once the subframe is taken out from underneath the car, and you can attack the bolts with penetrating oil/heat/ or indeed simply smacking it with a hammer to shock the threads first.

Brian :D

Thanks, I bought a set.

Lowering the subframe on one side freed up the spring a bit but not quite enough to get it out. I daren't go any further on the two subframe bolts otherwise all the weight will be hanging on the other two and I don't want to bend whatever it is they're bolted into.