I need a non-destructive method for removing the bolt that secures the leaf spring in its front mount. This bolt passes through the large diameter rubber bushing that has a steel sleeve liner. The steel sleeve that lines the rubber bushing bonds to the bolt over time making it difficult or impossible to withdraw the bolt directly. I'm trying to figure out how to free the bolt from the steel sleeve as this will make this chore much easier.
We do have access to the end of the bolt that extends into the unibody frame member. This allows brief periods of heating the threaded tip of the bolt with a torch but the fuel lines are close to the drivers side mount location. However, if the threads are dirty the heat will melt any of these deposits and effectively reduce our ability to withdraw the bolt. I have not observed that heating the bolt in this manner frees it from the bushing inner sleeve anyway.
My Current Destructive Method - This has been fairly quick in the past but I do not like it.
Heat the bolt until you can rotate it. Soak the threads with penetrating fluid to retain the motion the torch gives you. Use my Sawzall to cut the bolt into three pieces:
1) Between the exterior frame mount and the bushing.
2) Between the interior frame mount and the unibody channel.
If you make sure you can easily rotate the bolt before you cut it it has been easy (in the past) for me to remove the end of the bolt threaded into the unibody nut. This is the benefit provided by the penetrating fluid.
If you withdraw the bolt without freeing it from the bushing inner sleeve you bend the exterior frame bracket, because the bushing moves with the bolt.
Please advise.
Thanks,
Rick
We do have access to the end of the bolt that extends into the unibody frame member. This allows brief periods of heating the threaded tip of the bolt with a torch but the fuel lines are close to the drivers side mount location. However, if the threads are dirty the heat will melt any of these deposits and effectively reduce our ability to withdraw the bolt. I have not observed that heating the bolt in this manner frees it from the bushing inner sleeve anyway.
My Current Destructive Method - This has been fairly quick in the past but I do not like it.
Heat the bolt until you can rotate it. Soak the threads with penetrating fluid to retain the motion the torch gives you. Use my Sawzall to cut the bolt into three pieces:
1) Between the exterior frame mount and the bushing.
2) Between the interior frame mount and the unibody channel.
If you make sure you can easily rotate the bolt before you cut it it has been easy (in the past) for me to remove the end of the bolt threaded into the unibody nut. This is the benefit provided by the penetrating fluid.
If you withdraw the bolt without freeing it from the bushing inner sleeve you bend the exterior frame bracket, because the bushing moves with the bolt.
Please advise.
Thanks,
Rick