Rear suspension U-bolts

Post by **ndevans** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:49 am

Help! I'm trying to get the rear suspension u-bolts off to replace the rear springs. The problem is I can't get a spanner to fit the nuts.
9/16" is too small & 5/8" and 11/16" are too big. I've measured the nuts across the flats with a vernier caliper & they seem to be around 78/128"

. The nuts are old & rusty but not badly deformed. Any suggestions before I get the evil mole grips out?

. Cheers, Neil.

Post by **gairlochrosie** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:54 am

either use a cold chisel ( smack the nut on the edge, to split the nut...as I had to do when I replaced my springs last month) or grinder to remove them and replace them with new U bolts and nylon lined nuts.

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:57 am

I think they're 5/16" Whitworth (BSW).

Post by **57traveller** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:25 am

Yes, 3/8" BSF thead size - 5/16" Whit spanner size.

Post by **Packedup** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:31 am

Theyre most likely some WW size or other.

But as a 9/16" is too small, and a 5/8" too big, why not try a hex (6 sided) 15mm socket? 9/16" is a little bigger than 14mm, and 5/8" is around 16mm, so 15mm is nicely in the middle

Post by **Peetee** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:47 am

I've just got round that problem myself by whaking a 15mm socket over them then replacing them with new.

Post by **ndevans** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:51 pm

But as a 9/16" is too small, and a 5/8" too big, why not try a hex (6 sided) 15mm socket? 9/16" is a little bigger than 14mm, and 5/8" is around 16mm, so 15mm is nicely in the middle

Tried that-I wasn't happy that it wasn't going to damage the nut. I also had a socket crack in the past when using it over a slightly smaller nut.

either use a cold chisel ( smack the nut on the edge, to split the nut...as I had to do when I replaced my springs last month) or grinder to remove them and replace them with new U bolts and nylon lined nuts.

Good tip, and I have done it before. I'm not going to try it in this case as I can't get the car up on ramps now the prop shaft is in bit (another story). Call me a wimp if you like, but I don't fancy lying on my side whacking the nuts with a chisel with the car only on axle stands. I don't have an angle grinder either.

No, I think it's time the big bad mole grips came out to play. I have new u-bolts and nyloc nuts anyway, so I don't need to keep the old ones, I just don't like breaking things if I can avoid it.

I'll also keep my eye open for a set of Whitworth spanners. Cheers, Neil

Post by **gairlochrosie** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:56 pm

ndevans wrote:
But as a 9/16" is too small, and a 5/8" too big, why not try a hex (6 sided) 15mm socket? 9/16" is a little bigger than 14mm, and 5/8" is around 16mm, so 15mm is nicely in the middle
Tried that-I wasn't happy that it wasn't going to damage the nut. I also had a socket crack in the past when using it over a slightly smaller nut.

either use a cold chisel ( smack the nut on the edge, to split the nut...as I had to do when I replaced my springs last month) or grinder to remove them and replace them with new U bolts and nylon lined nuts.
Good tip, and I have done it before. I'm not going to try it in this case as I can't get the car up on ramps now the prop shaft is in bit (another story). Call me a wimp if you like, but I don't fancy lying on my side whacking the nuts with a chisel with the car only on axle stands. I don't have an angle grinder either.

No, I think it's time the big bad mole grips came out to play. I have new u-bolts and nyloc nuts anyway, so I don't need to keep the old ones, I just don't like breaking things if I can avoid it. I'll also keep my eye open for a set of Whitworth spanners. Cheers, Neil

Hi Neil,

I had an Axle stand on the rear spring front shoe (supporting the weight of the car) with the trolley jack just under the spring..with another jack under the axle (supporting the weight of the axle)...when I did it to both sides....no problem

Post by **minor_hickup** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:22 pm

What year is the car? On my 1970 saloon 5/8's" fitted fine.

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:01 pm

ndevans wrote:
I just don't like breaking things if I can avoid it. I'll also keep my eye open for a set of Whitworth spanners.

I hate to say it, but it IS the only answer. Been there, done that

Post by **ndevans** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:30 pm

minor_hickup wrote:What year is the car? On my 1970 saloon 5/8's" fitted fine.

It's a 1968 Traveller, first registered in Jan '69. My two 5/8" spanners definitely wouldn't go. Probably the original nuts have been replaced by some unscrupulous previous owner

Post by **ndevans** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:37 pm

bigginger wrote:
ndevans wrote:
I just don't like breaking things if I can avoid it. I'll also keep my eye open for a set of Whitworth spanners.
I hate to say it, but it IS the only answer. Been there, done that

Agreed, but for the sake of getting the job done before the end of March I will use the mole grips.......might see if I can pick up some Whitworth spanners in Brighton on the 1st.

Post by **Packedup** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:57 pm

ndevans wrote:Tried that-I wasn't happy that it wasn't going to damage the nut. I also had a socket crack in the past when using it over a slightly smaller nut.

Ah, I now pay the extra for an impact socket when I get a fastener I can't remove with what I already have. My 16mm one has been invaluable for very stubborn 5/8" nuts

I don't have an angle grinder either.

Get a cheap Dremel-alike. Another tool that I hardly ever use, but again, is most useful to have just in case

As for WW spanners - There's usually loads at the car boot sales. I picked up four or five assorted dull with age ones for a quid a couple of years ago, and even tool sellers don't ask a fortune for them (probably because they're difficult to flog to most people).

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:39 pm

ndevans wrote:
bigginger wrote:
ndevans wrote: I hate to say it, but it IS the only answer. Been there, done that
Agreed, but for the sake of getting the job done before the end of March I will use the mole grips.......might see if I can pick up some Whitworth spanners in Brighton on the 1st.

Precisely what I'd do/have done too

Post by **HarryMango** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 7:48 pm

Hi Neil (and everybody else)

I have loads of spanners & sockets for sale including Whitworth sizes -which ones do you want? - I have several 5/16W for the UBolts.

Rog

Post by **ndevans** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:01 am

Thanks Rog, but my Dad has now found what he thinks are Whitworth spanners that were knocking around in his shed. Maybe the mole grips can be kept at bay! I'll let you know if I have no joy. Regards, Neil.

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:37 am

they seem to be around 78/128"

Interesting measurement.
Dont forget to give the nuts a good soaking with penetrating oil to assist their removal.

Post by **ndevans** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:11 pm

I now have a couple of Whitworth spanners courtesy of my Dad. 5/16" Whit & 3/8" BSF fit perfectly. Problem solved

. Thanks to all for their help & advice. Regards, Neil.