Posted by Gordon on Sunday, July 02, 2006 at 3:19AM :
In Reply to: Re: Removing rear springs posted by Griff in Fairbanks on Sunday, July 02, 2006 at 2:41AM :
A combination of heat, lubrication, and impact will probably do it, but when the bushes go these bolts get ledges worn on then which means the frame drops slightly onto the bolt and locks it in place.
To get round this, you really need to turn a worn bolt when pulling it. My favourite tool for the job is a tapered reverse screw thread extractor - a big one with a 3/8" or 1/2" square drive on the end. I just push it into the hole and turn it till it grips, then put an extension bar (or two ) on the end and just apply load till something gives. As long as your extractor is decent quality the bolt WILL start to turn before the extractor breaks. I've never yet had one fail to turn, and once turning I've never yet had one fail to come out.
All this can be done from the outside of the chassis, on the ground, without a load of dismantling, though of course you need the chassis supported just at the point where all the weight is off the spring.
Gordon
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