I need to know how you do when removal the big bolt on the rear swingarm.
It is very tight and I've tried to beat on the end of it.
Is the use of heat a good idea - and where you heat?
I hope some will tell how they do

/John

bolts that are hard to undo i always use 1 meter of metal pipe with spanner or socket wrench inside, then it goes e z

Penetrating oil (GT 85, Plus Gas), 6 sided socket, breaker bar and extension. Gentle heat can help the penetrating oil penetrate.

If the nut is off a punch on the end of it is most effective, but again, penetrating oil.

Thanks - I must try that.
Actuly I am concidering to take the hole rear beam out to sandblaster.
Anybody done that?

/John

Needs stripping down though -- any bearing surfaces masking up.

Don't know anyone who's done it with as Punto. Fair few have with Centos.

i always got a mate to hold an old 1/2inch long extension bar on it with mole grips as i hit it with a large lump hammer,they always came out

i wouldn't be keen using heat here for obvious reasons

dropping the lot sounds a good idea but where would you support such an old car without crumbling it? (no offence im being pragmatic)

If you cant get the nut off the bolt then leave the socket on and place something solid under the handle (axle stand ect) and then slowley and carefully, lower the car placing the weight of the car onto the socket.

If the long bolt has corroded in place then leave the nut over the end of the bolt and keep hammering it with the biggest hammer you can. They do eventually shift.

To reove the rear subframe:
If the rear jacking points are shot then there are box like sections running down either sides at the rear to support the vehicle on axle stands. You will need to remove the handbrake cables and brake pipes and lower the exhaust. Then support the rear subframe remove the four bolts and then remove the subframe without damaging the exhaust.

Now the rear axel/subframe is taking off . THEN I could hammer the bolt out in the right side. Left side vent easy while on the car.
Now the subframe is beeing sandblasted and metalising so it will never rust again.
New swingarms will be fitted coaded with epoxy paint.
Until subframe comes back, I can use the time to clean up under the car and remove the little rust that was under subframe.
I think the rear of the car is gona be good ;-)


/John

what do you need to remove to get that off like half of the car?

Subframe are fastened with only 4 pieces of bolts.
But first unmount all brakes, and swing arms to lighten the weight.




/John

I have a Punto GT rear subframe if you'd like to upgrade while you're at it.

Now subframe is ready for the car again.
First sandblasted - then metalising.
Then primed with epoxy - and finaly black epoxy.
Maybe overkill - but my friend did it on his job for free
New bushings/mounts pressed on.
Tomorrow I will put it back in the car
It looks like this now :



/John

This is how the old bushings/mounts looks like after pressed out



/John

New swingarms ready for car.
Glassblasted
Epoxy primed and red epoxy.


/John

I wonder how the handling will be after this. As I look to the bushings, the old ones were shaped square at the top and the new ones round. The square is because it fits exactly in the shape of the bottom of the car, so they can not move sideways.


However, I often thought about replacing the bushings also, so I hope you can say it handles perfectly..


How much of a job is it to press out the old ones and press in new ones? How much of a job is it to dismount and mount the complete axle?




Curious curious, I know, but maybe you can convince others as well to maintain the Mk1 driving as this is one of the reasons I would loose the car in the end (and maybe others as well)

Look at the pics Again - the one from before remove bushings. They are also round on the side facing away from car. Only the upper side is Square.And only 2 of them are Square on the one side.
And so are the new ones. They are genune fiat parts, so it should be allright.
It is not a dificalt job to press them out - you only need a hydraulic press.
Press the old out and press the new one in. I deed it myself alone, but I think it will be more easy if you have a helping hand to hold the subframe in place while you handle the hydraulic press.
I can only say if you are overhaling your swingarms then you allso should do the bushings becourse everything is dismandlet anyway. Then you only need to remove 4 more bolts.


My bad English ? - I am Danish ;-)






/John

Okay thanks. Now I see.

My poor English by the way is due to the fact I'm Dutch.

Starts looking good - the last parts are on the way ( wheel bearings and brake parts) so should be driving again in couple of days.


/John

Now i am finish allso wiht the front end.
Front subframe got the same treatment as rear subframe.
New brakes and bearings and bushings all over.
Looks good - drives good.

/John

very nice sir, well done