Cottontail
Three-De Off-Road
- Location
- Nashville, TN
Ok, so I just finished the SYE install and I needed to shim the rear axle. Since it was going to be out I decided to go ahead and install the RE drop brackets, the front coil spacers, and the rear spring hangers from a Dodge Ram while I was under there. Knowing this was in the works, I have been PB Blasting for the last week. The rear axle is a Ford 8.8.
Started working on the rear today and had to stop when I busted my 21 mm socket. Unfortunately I didn't realize it was broken until the spring hanger bolt rounded off.
So, here goes:
1. What is my best option to remove the spring hanger bolt now? The bolt I confirmed is rusted to the inside of the metal sleve inside the bushing. I am thinking just running a 4' angle grinder in there and hack it off. Of course that leaves me with the issue of getting the threaded tip of the bolt out after cutting. I thought about heating it, but all that seems to do is melt the rubber bushing and make my garage stink.
2. When I get ready to button things up and shim the axle to rotate the pinion upwards, will I need to cut off and reposition my shock mounts? Seems like maybe that could be an issue.
This is not on a hoist, so I am doing this all with jack stands, a 6 ton hydraulic floor jack, and laying on my back. It isn't ideal, but it is what it is. It isn't my DD so I'm not in the unenviable postion of needing it back on the street tomorrow or anything. I can, and will, take my time with it.
Started working on the rear today and had to stop when I busted my 21 mm socket. Unfortunately I didn't realize it was broken until the spring hanger bolt rounded off.
So, here goes:
1. What is my best option to remove the spring hanger bolt now? The bolt I confirmed is rusted to the inside of the metal sleve inside the bushing. I am thinking just running a 4' angle grinder in there and hack it off. Of course that leaves me with the issue of getting the threaded tip of the bolt out after cutting. I thought about heating it, but all that seems to do is melt the rubber bushing and make my garage stink.
2. When I get ready to button things up and shim the axle to rotate the pinion upwards, will I need to cut off and reposition my shock mounts? Seems like maybe that could be an issue.
This is not on a hoist, so I am doing this all with jack stands, a 6 ton hydraulic floor jack, and laying on my back. It isn't ideal, but it is what it is. It isn't my DD so I'm not in the unenviable postion of needing it back on the street tomorrow or anything. I can, and will, take my time with it.