Drop Link fun

Toby_HDi · Post by **Toby_HDi** » 30 Jun 2011, 20:14

Yet again, another simple task has become more trouble than it should be.

On trying to reassemble front brakes I realised I had no copper grease, no problem, I can pick some up and sort them out later in the week.

So, I thought, lets just renew the drop links while we're here. O/S comes off and new one on and torqued up. Great! One more and I'll stick the car back on the drive for now....

The N/S drop link is still in place. I cleaned, wire brushed and Plus Gased the bolt and its thread but the top nut wouldn't budge. Hmmm, lets get the bottom one off and then the top one should free itself. All was going well until about 5mm from the end, the allen recess for counterholding the link thread decided to completely round out.

Any tips on now removing it? I'm aware of the angle grinder method although not entirely sure where you'd cut, I'm not keen on taking an angle grinder to it and I don't have an angle grinder!

I tried using a hacksaw to cut the thread, hoping that I'd get through enough to hit the nut with a hammer and it would shear off. No such luck, so now its stuck.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 30 Jun 2011, 20:33

Cut either side of the roll bar end Toby, makes no odds...

These nuts can be AMAZINGLY hard to undo... My other method when cutting equip is Not available is a set of damm good Mole Grips, and get them gripped on as bloody tight as you can this hold the threaded pin still, and acceptable if you are fitting another!

BE WARNED: The grips HAVE to be the tighest you can possibly get them!!! and I mean tight!!!

Just done this tonight on a 306, with no WD ... and just managed it... it was damm tight!

Paul

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 30 Jun 2011, 20:40

sometimes these have torx not allan key ways,

you might mistake it for an allan key slot which can rond the hole out,

the angle grinder trick is cut straight down through the middle of the thread shank and nut with a cutting disc (not grinding disc), which will cut the nut in two so it will drop off,

just make sure you have new nuts with the new drop links,

regards malcolm

Post by **CitroJim** » 30 Jun 2011, 21:27

Or a nut splitter Toby..

That's saved me on one or two occasions...

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 30 Jun 2011, 21:39

Toby just keep going with the hacksaw if thats what you have to hand and just cut the stud behind the nut, it should only take a few minutes. I also keep a nut spliter now, only £20 and worth every penny of it too for jobs like this.

D

imperial21 · Post by **imperial21** » 30 Jun 2011, 21:47

I have a grinder with a cutting disk on it and know where to cut if you are stuck toby ?

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 30 Jun 2011, 22:18

This often happens, seems a poor design to me, having a allen type head on the drop link, once a bit of rust has set in they round off too easily. I have resorted to a cutting blade and angle grinder to get them off, after trying my best to get them off using the alllen bolt.

Toby_HDi · Post by **Toby_HDi** » 30 Jun 2011, 22:22

Thanks for the offer Mike,

Dean, the hacksaw looked like it was doing something but then I realised it wasn't. The blade is shot. It does make me realise just how limited my tool collection actually is.

I had no problems at all with the other side, but then the N/S is the one that gets most of the muck thrown at it.

addo · Post by **addo** » 30 Jun 2011, 22:31

If you can stretch to it, buy a pack (usually 10-12) of 32 point bi-metal blades. Also buy one of the single-ended blade holders, and then you have a lot more options...

lexi · Post by **lexi** » 30 Jun 2011, 22:34

Mmm.....shame on you Toby. A Pringle container with a dozen Sandvik blades should be on workbench at all times

Post by **RichardW** » 30 Jun 2011, 22:36

Angle grinder <£20 at the DIY sheds. No garage should be without one (or two...

).

I don't even bother trying the nuts if they look manky - out with the AG and lop them off. Longest bit of the job is getting the extension lead out!

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 01 Jul 2011, 08:04

Toby_HDi wrote:Thanks for the offer Mike,

Dean, the hacksaw looked like it was doing something but then I realised it wasn't. The blade is shot.

thats one of them there new fangled lazer blade bit like my drill bit colection

just keep going it will burn its way through

regards malcolm

Old-Guy · Post by **Old-Guy** » 02 Jul 2011, 23:36

RichardW wrote:Angle grinder <£20 at the DIY sheds. No garage should be without one (or two... ).

I don't even bother trying the nuts if they look manky - out with the AG and lop them off. Longest bit of the job is getting the extension lead out!

£20!! Try your local hardware shop - mine cost £12.99 including a metal grinding disc (2mm thick). 1mm thick metal cutting discs are a bit more expensive but cut twice as fast with half the sparks - just watch out what the spray of red-hot metal particles is hitting!

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 03 Jul 2011, 08:10

i have got a box set of nut spliters, not sure wetre they are lurking since i moved workshop in Nov 05, plus her in doors has bin moveing stuff round again

unsuppervised,

but i do find they dont work fully on the nuts with a flange at the matting surface,

regards malcolm

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 03 Jul 2011, 08:30

citronut wrote:i have got a box set of nut spliters, not sure wetre they are lurking since i moved workshop in Nov 05, plus her in doors has bin moveing stuff round again unsuppervised,

Now lost forever!!