Fiesta wishbone pinch bolt stuck fast
Discussion
My wife's Fiesta has got some play in the ball joint on one of the wishbones and so I am attempting to replace it (the whole thing).
Exactly as per dreaded expectation I have failed at the first hurdle and am unable to get the pinch bolt undone, or more specifically whilst I've got the nut loose the bolt itself is stuck fast. So stuck that have used my crappy-but-often-effective 12v impact gun I've ended up rounding off the bolt head as I kept slipping off leaving my only option, presumably, to knock it through from the nut sized. But, it's just not budging.
I've been spraying it with PlusGas periodically throughout the day and whacking the bolt from the other end with a lump hammer but to no avail.
Any suggestions? Even just reassurance that it will come out, somehow, one day? I feel so disappointed and stressed. Stupid really.
I don't have an often-mentioned blow torch. Do I need one?
Exactly as per dreaded expectation I have failed at the first hurdle and am unable to get the pinch bolt undone, or more specifically whilst I've got the nut loose the bolt itself is stuck fast. So stuck that have used my crappy-but-often-effective 12v impact gun I've ended up rounding off the bolt head as I kept slipping off leaving my only option, presumably, to knock it through from the nut sized. But, it's just not budging.
I've been spraying it with PlusGas periodically throughout the day and whacking the bolt from the other end with a lump hammer but to no avail.
Any suggestions? Even just reassurance that it will come out, somehow, one day? I feel so disappointed and stressed. Stupid really.
I don't have an often-mentioned blow torch. Do I need one?
Your running out of options so yes a blow torch would help and a set of bolt removal sockets but with the flanged bolt head don’t wack it on to hard, I’ve just spit a socket by bashing it on
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374199651146?mkcid=16&a...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374199651146?mkcid=16&a...
Thank you both. That set looks a handy thing to have so will get a set.
Re the blow torch, any suggestions type/variety wise? Hopefully I'm not going to be needing it often and so wouldn't want to spend too much, but presumably the less I spend the less effective it is likely to be?
It just seems so stuck fast. Looks and feels like it's welded to the knuckle.
There seems to be a lot of corrosion on this car (2013 plate). I know it spent it first few years up in Aberdeen, and when we bought it it had winter tyres on, so I'm wondering if suffered at the hands of salted roads.
I'll keep on with the PlusGas for the rest of the evening and see if luck is on my side in the morning and a few more whacks.
P.S. If I end up admitting defeat do you think I have a chance taking it to a garage? Or have I committed the ultimate sin attempting the work myself first?
Re the blow torch, any suggestions type/variety wise? Hopefully I'm not going to be needing it often and so wouldn't want to spend too much, but presumably the less I spend the less effective it is likely to be?
It just seems so stuck fast. Looks and feels like it's welded to the knuckle.
There seems to be a lot of corrosion on this car (2013 plate). I know it spent it first few years up in Aberdeen, and when we bought it it had winter tyres on, so I'm wondering if suffered at the hands of salted roads.
I'll keep on with the PlusGas for the rest of the evening and see if luck is on my side in the morning and a few more whacks.
P.S. If I end up admitting defeat do you think I have a chance taking it to a garage? Or have I committed the ultimate sin attempting the work myself first?
Definitely looks like a job for a blow torch to me. my Elise's suspension bolts were stuck to buggery when I refreshed it and a few heat cycles released them all with no drama. A simple plumbers' soldering torch from B&Q will do the job.
If you put the nut back on I don't see why you couldn't drive it to a garage. You'll probably want to at least buy a new bolt now you've rounded that one off.
If you put the nut back on I don't see why you couldn't drive it to a garage. You'll probably want to at least buy a new bolt now you've rounded that one off.
MJNewton said:
P.S. If I end up admitting defeat do you think I have a chance taking it to a garage? Or have I committed the ultimate sin attempting the work myself first?
Yes, whilst the pinch bolt is in, the ball joint isn't going anywhere.Heat up the area around the bolt as much as you can, then whack it hard repeatedly forwards (and backwards if it starts to move).
Incidentally, whilst access is a bit tight for an angle grinder I did wondering about attack with my Dremel and some cut-off discs? Surely if I remove the head then the bolt shaft should knock out? Perhaps its the shaft that's corroded though so there's risk I might make a bad situation worse.
That's more than I was hoping to pay but maybe I've just got to swallow this one given I'm past the point of no return.
I saw this one at Wickes for £34 (Edit: £29 at Toolstation Edit 2: No cylinder with the TS one!). I won't hold you to it, but ought it be up to the job, albeit slower?
I saw this one at Wickes for £34 (Edit: £29 at Toolstation Edit 2: No cylinder with the TS one!). I won't hold you to it, but ought it be up to the job, albeit slower?
Edited by MJNewton on Saturday 17th September 18:21
Might be better just taking it to a garage.
They'll remove that bolt in about a minute using an induction heater if they're so equipped which is better than gas as they don't set fire to the CV boot or melt nearby abs sensors during the process.
There's also the possibility of the other bolts being seized.
For an hours labour or whatever sometimes it's just not worth the hassle wrestling with it yourself.
They'll remove that bolt in about a minute using an induction heater if they're so equipped which is better than gas as they don't set fire to the CV boot or melt nearby abs sensors during the process.
There's also the possibility of the other bolts being seized.
For an hours labour or whatever sometimes it's just not worth the hassle wrestling with it yourself.
Not a nice problem to have. I fully appreciate the quandary regarding taking it to a garage! I'd hate to have to do that, but sometimes you're left with no choice.
In your position I'd have thought the easiest way to tackle it is from the nut side, by whacking it as hard as you can? I assume you've put the nut back on a few turns so that it's flush with the end of the bolt? And what are you using to whack it with? Sometimes a bit of mass is needed - have you got a decent e.g. 4lb lump hammer?
It's too late now but I usually use a ring spanner on the nut/bolt then whack that. Less chance of rounding!
Worst one I had was the top pinch bolt on an Audi A4 (famously awkward) had to drill it in the end.
In your position I'd have thought the easiest way to tackle it is from the nut side, by whacking it as hard as you can? I assume you've put the nut back on a few turns so that it's flush with the end of the bolt? And what are you using to whack it with? Sometimes a bit of mass is needed - have you got a decent e.g. 4lb lump hammer?
It's too late now but I usually use a ring spanner on the nut/bolt then whack that. Less chance of rounding!
Worst one I had was the top pinch bolt on an Audi A4 (famously awkward) had to drill it in the end.
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