Hey all,

hope all is fine...

I'm struggling getting the lower wishbone off the front subframe. Now, I know, that the "fulcrum shaft" (or what ever you want to call it) should be one end a nut and the rest a long screw.

So I removed the nut and tried rotating the shaft, as it is rock solid. I'd guess it has rotted in place. As I tried to rotate it, I turned the shaft anti clockwise... Result is, the shaft is in place but the large "head" has turned into a larger "nut" and come off. Now I have the shaft in the subframe with threads at both ends.

What would be the best way to remove it? Stuff some dynamite in it and run? I'd sprayed my really good aviation grade rustsolvent in but dunno if it will work...

Ideas?

Cheers

Damien

 

This is the worst job I have had to do on my car - just to cheer you up!
Only the large front end nut is meant to be undone. The reason you cannot turn the fulcrum shaft is because the metalastic bushes have both corroded into the shaft and also the rubber somehow turned into the world's most effective adhesive and locked onto the eye in the wishbone end.


The only way I could get mine done was:

• take a Black and Decker type electric saw with a good supply of hacksaw blades for it
• cut through the shaft between the subframe and the inner edge of the wishbone eye, BOTH sides of the subframe
• The wishbone then comes off with the bushes still in the eyes
• burn out the bushes from the eyes
• take a drift and a huge hammer and belt out the shaft remains which will likely be corroded into the subframe for the first half inch or so.

Then fit your new shaft and new metalastic bushes, liberally slathering the shaft with copper-ease, or even batter of the cost can be born, Molyslip's nickel based grease. Insert the new shaft from the rear of the subframe so the thin, not to be removed nut is at the back.
Greg

 

Thanks for your input Greg! I thought the big end wasn't supposed to come off. The rear should be totally tight... So I'll try something tomorrow (tightening the bugger up again and then using a looooooong lever arm to see if I can get the shaft to turn).

I mean, I could leave the bushings in but they are so badly worn and perished, that they will fail on "TÜV" approval on the spot...

But it seems like a common issue, as you say. I'll see if I can turn it out. If not, then I'll cut them off and burn them out... Darn car!

 

We had a member here who would advise you that you need to light it first

When using penetrants, time, vibration and repetition are your friends.

 

One side has been done... And that hurt! Basically constant bashing and clonking. Oh, and I managed to get attacked by the lower wishbone...


I still won. In the end, the front bushing popped out of the wishbone and the arm could be moved easier. I was able to bash it in far enough (the fulcrum) and then remove the wishbone. After that the fulcrum shaft could be whacked out...

Attack of the lower wishbone

 

Make sure to purchase new bolts, as you have destroyed the old ones.

 

"Jagman" status rightfully awarded

It's a bitch of a job. I've been there several times. A couple times just a few whacks and the shafts went right thru. Most other times, though, a real battle.

Cheers
DD

 

Ooooh... I wanted the use the bashed up destroyed threaded rods again... Never mind... I'll buy some new ones. They luckily don't cost the World

 

My observation Daim, is if the hammer bashed out the shafts, it says a great deal for the hardness of the Daim cranium that it only made a small mark in it!
Greg

 

The hammer didn't hit my head... The lower control arm where the ball joint sits hit me. I had a clamp on it and fogot to hold the wishbone as I spun it fast. My head was right below it... But it managed to make some metal shine again!