HELP! Stuck front Long Bolt when installing new coilovers

OzGuvnor · Postby **OzGuvnor** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 7:56 pm

Trust it to be the last corner. I was I installing some TEIN Street Flex coilovers onto my NA8 and the front right side upper control arm long bolt is stuck halfway out. The other side was easy, as was the rears. Ideas please! After 2 hours of swearing I gave up for tonight.

A.Chen89 · Postby **A.Chen89** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:10 pm

Hammer. Wd40. Penetrene

OzGuvnor · Postby **OzGuvnor** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:45 pm

I cut a hole in the end of a scrap bit of timber and put it over the large washer and hammered it out half way. Which worked well until the bolt head went behind the metal bracket that holds the sway bar mount. I was hoping it would be loose by then. But its stuck fast. I did loosen the sway bar mount bolts too. I tried penetrant but it didn't help. There is so little purchase to whack it. I think I need to buy some large bolts of a slightly smaller diameter and push it through. But I was worried about damaging inside. I don't see how I have any other choice at this point.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:50 pm

I've done a few of these and one side always seems to just slide out easily while the other one takes more work.

Insert a punch and hammer the long bolt through. A few punches of different lengths (or smaller width bolts) will do the trick.

Also, use the scissor jack under the control arm to help take the pressure off the long bolt.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 9:09 pm

I just use multigrips around the bolt to twist it back and forwards as I try to pull it out. I can gain half a mil or so on each turn.

ralt · Postby **ralt** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 12:40 pm

Hi.
Undo one of the bolts from memory it is the rear one which attaches the sway bar D bracket.The head of the long bolt catches on the bracket bolt.

ralt · Postby **ralt** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 12:45 pm

Hi,
After reading your post again my response was probably wrong if you have it only halfway out and not trying to go past the bracket.

OzGuvnor · Postby **OzGuvnor** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 2:41 pm

Thanks for all the tips. After a good night sleep and a handful of different length 12mm bolts from Bunnings and a hammer, it came out quickly. Pushing from behind is much easier than trying to pull. I'd definitely recommend having some various sized 12mm bolts to anyone as a just in case. The different lengths to cope with the limited space in which to swing the hammer.

Now to finish the job, check ride height and get it re-aligned.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 4:11 pm

OzGuvnor · Postby **OzGuvnor** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 5:10 pm

Just back from the first road test around the block with the TEIN Street Flex fitted. Remarkable difference over the old tired stock suspension, especially under brakes. Feels good over bumps and driveways too. I have opted for a modest 20mm drop to begin with.

Very happy.

The American · Postby **The American** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 6:13 pm

ralt wrote:Hi.
Undo one of the bolts from memory it is the rear one which attaches the sway bar D bracket.The head of the long bolt catches on the bracket bolt.

+1 for this - I have had to partially unbolt this bracket to complete the long bolt method.

GTR4N · Postby **GTR4N** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 12:12 pm

Rattle gun/air ratchet is pretty convicing at times when it just turns the bolt and it starts to move out on its own

Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 12:47 pm

The American wrote:
ralt wrote:Hi.
Undo one of the bolts from memory it is the rear one which attaches the sway bar D bracket.The head of the long bolt catches on the bracket bolt.

+1 for this - I have had to partially unbolt this bracket to complete the long bolt method.

I did this last weekend. I removed the bracket both sides & let the swaybar hang. It made it easier to get the shocks in & out, & made plenty of room for the long bolt.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OzGuvnor · Postby **OzGuvnor** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 2:33 pm

I bought this car about 2 years ago. It's 17 years old (NA8) and is a weekender so it does little mileage. When I took it to Bob Jane on Nepean Hwy Morrabbin for a wheel alignment, [Disclaimer I have no affiliation] they were great and took the time to understand how I intend to use the car - that being mostly club rides and occasional weekend jaunts through the country with 3 or so track days a year. The guys doing the alignment were of the opinion that it had probably never been re-aligned since new. The front left was markedly toe-ed out. Naturally the camber was off because I had lowered it. Feels terrific.