Snapped front spring and spinning drop link bolt - Help Please

[xpfloyd]

My front left spring on the Bilstein B14 has snapped. I am part way through stripping it out to replace and I can't undo the bolt that holds the drop link onto the strut. It was completely seized initially but now it's spinning as one i.e. I can't screw the nut as the bolt spins too.

It looks like the bolt has a spline type inner hole. Does anyone know the size? Or can anyone advise what I should do to remove this? Should I try and grind the drop link off and replace?

 

[Vanderlust]

I don’t know if drop links are all made the same but on mine on the link side of the attachment there is a rubber bush/ seal which if compressed reveals two flats on the bolt which allows you to secure it with a c spanner whilst turning the securing nut.

 

[xpfloyd]

For the life of me I can’t get it to stop spinning even clamping onto that rubber seal. There’s an Autodoc video on YouTube that suggests the same. Honestly at a loss what to do here other than get the angle grinder out!

 

[Kind of Blue]

I have seen mechanics do a number of things over the years one chisel off, grind off and weld something to the spinning par. I am not a mechanic!

 

[xpfloyd]

Looks like parrot nose licking pliers might be what I need. Like mole grips but different shape

 

[Vanderlust]

I probably didn’t make it very clear but I don’t think the rubber would stop the bolt turning but if you squeeze the rubber back towards the drop link away from the strut it reveals two flats on the bolt. If you have the right size of c spanner to fit the flats that should hold the bolt whilst turning the nut, hopefully.

 

[DaveD]

Looks like parrot nose licking pliers might be what I need. Like mole grips but different shape

The bolt has a female hex hole in it, (visible in your photo) if you clean the crud out of it you should be able to put a hex or Allen type key in it to stop it spinning while using a ring spanner on the nut, apply some heat first as it's probably very tight anyway.

 

[Anakin]

@Vanderlust is correct, there should be two flats under the rubber boot. If they are not there, then you’ll have to angle grind the rubber bit off and hope that you can lock onto something there, to stop it rotating while you undo the nut.

 

[Anakin]

The bolt has a female hex hole in it, (visible in your photo) if you clean the crud out of it you should be able to put a hex or Allen type key in it to stop it spinning while using a ring spanner on the nut.

The hex hole looks to be very rounded, but you could try hammering in a slightly bigger torx bit, which has sometimes worked for me.

 

[xpfloyd]

Thanks all, I was struggling to move the rubber bit to find the flats. I've gave up for now and ordered the parrot nose grips which should be able to grip it tight enough through the rubber to stop it spinning. Even if I manage to stop the rotation I still need to get the nut moving which seems to be seized. What a palava

 

[xpfloyd]

The hex hole looks to be very rounded, but you could try hammering in a slightly bigger torx bit, which has sometimes worked for me.

Yeah I tried every torx and hex bit I have and it was either too big or too small so its either rounded or its not letting the correct size in with the rust. Ill try the other way first then might need to try this.

 

[DaveD]

Honestly at a loss what to do here other than get the angle grinder out!

Yes, that's what I'd be doing right now!

 

[xpfloyd]

Yes, that's what I'd be doing right now!

That’s plan D. If all else fails, chop the link in half to allow me to get the shock out and replace the spring, then grind off the link from the shock when it’s off and easier to access, fit a new link.

 

[Badjamin]

Nathan from Dte tv on youtube has done a few videos on front suspension assembly etc removal on caddys and his Lwb t5 if you wanna see it done

 

[Badjamin]

3 minutes in

 

[Dundee_Kev]

If replacing the link, normal vise grips will work. Just grip the rubber boot and try slackening the nut. The whole lot will start to turn, then tighten the grips again. Keep doing this and it will eventually grip it to allow removal.