Spartan1st
New Member
Further to my last post, I thought i'd post some photos on how to remove seized radius arm bolts. Thank you to all that replied, some handy tips.
Remember, when fitting any bush, grease the life out of every surface. it aids installation, prolongs the life and, in my case, aids removal.
Anyway, here's how I did it:
Got some 1mm grinding discs from Screwfix this morning. Cost £10 for 10. I thought i'd bust more than I did thus the bulk pack. In fact, I only used two (1 per bolt) and probably could have got away with just using 1.
I removed the swivel, just to get more access.
Since poly bushes were already fitted, they have a flange unlike the OEM rubber ones which you can just about see between the arm and the mount.
Just cut through the bush flange with the grinder, makes a candy floss like substance, smells funky too but doesn't clog the grinder. Actually dampens the amount of sparks created!
As you can see below, the nut on the bottom of my grinder (which is a 4 1/2'') was fouling the radius arm. I had to keep turning the bolt to get an even cut through.
Once the bolts were sufficiently chopped, tighten the bolt and opposing nut to shear the bolt.
a few whacks with a hammer it all came free. Bolts still in tubes.
the bushes were totally solid within their recesses. Whoever installed them did not grease anything, partly owing to their premature failure and the agro of removing them.
Finally, the cause of my woes:
Moral of the story, a bush needs to be well lubricated before you stick your bolt in!
Remember, when fitting any bush, grease the life out of every surface. it aids installation, prolongs the life and, in my case, aids removal.
Anyway, here's how I did it:
Got some 1mm grinding discs from Screwfix this morning. Cost £10 for 10. I thought i'd bust more than I did thus the bulk pack. In fact, I only used two (1 per bolt) and probably could have got away with just using 1.
I removed the swivel, just to get more access.
Since poly bushes were already fitted, they have a flange unlike the OEM rubber ones which you can just about see between the arm and the mount.
Just cut through the bush flange with the grinder, makes a candy floss like substance, smells funky too but doesn't clog the grinder. Actually dampens the amount of sparks created!
As you can see below, the nut on the bottom of my grinder (which is a 4 1/2'') was fouling the radius arm. I had to keep turning the bolt to get an even cut through.
Once the bolts were sufficiently chopped, tighten the bolt and opposing nut to shear the bolt.
a few whacks with a hammer it all came free. Bolts still in tubes.
the bushes were totally solid within their recesses. Whoever installed them did not grease anything, partly owing to their premature failure and the agro of removing them.
Finally, the cause of my woes:
Moral of the story, a bush needs to be well lubricated before you stick your bolt in!
