Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi,

Having released the locking washers on the bolts that hold the connecting rod cap to the connecting rod I can't gget the bolts to move. My socket won't grip and the spanner keeps juming off. Can anyone tell me if there are any knacks or better tools for this task.

Thanks,

Philip

They're fiddly. I found that the knack was to make sure the socket was at the right angle, ie square to the bolt, and use a long extension bar and an extension from that to the socket. I found that a 9/16 AF socket did the job - anyone know the CORRECT size offhand?

Use the right sized 6 sided (hex?) socket, not a 12 point (more common) one. If you've got access then maybe try a T bar with the socket in the middle and hands either end so you're not putting any lateral strain on the "interface" (there must be a less techy word than that, but I can't think of one!) between socket and bolt head.

Or if you're a bit of a bodger hold the end of your bar/ ratchet etc on the bolt head, and wallop the handle end with a hammer - It'll slip off, but the initial shock load might break the seal after a couple of tries

They are 9/16 - sadly the heads are very shallow - if your socket is worn at the ends this is what happens. The 6 point advice is good too - maybe nip out and get a new socket - and a new ring spanner at that size too.