Technical Having a nightmare - Wishbone !

[multijtd]

As per the title, I have removed the old wishbone but in doing so snapped the bolt securing the bottom ball joint and the threads stripped out of one of the bolts that secure the cast steel bush brackets.

More importantly I just cannot get the bolts into the new arm. Positioning the arm so it is perfectly aligned to recieve the bolts is a nightmare.

So two questions. 1. Will any hi tensile bolt do to replace the two that are knackered. And any bright ideas how I can wedge/pry etc etc the bush carriers into position so that I can get the damn screws in ?

 

[joipalli]

Replace the damage bolts.
I found it easier to fit one of the inner bolt, then try to align the opposite bracket.
But it's quite tedious, but you will get there.

 

[kev78]

I had to replace 4 or 5 bolts due to stripped threads and snapping when i did mine and the roll bar rubbers (cost a couple of quid each from fiat) - they are an unusual size thread if i remember right, fine thread on a size bolt that would normally have a course thread. The wishbones are a real awkward thing to get wound back on too , just patience, tea and some swearing - a big pry bar - a jack and a hammer also came in handy. sorry but i can't remember the exact order i put the bolts back in but i think the inner rear was the last one afer winding the other 3 in a little.

 

[GOOT]

Het

Did mine this afternoon !!

I found that put the small ones in first, (slightly ) then jack the roll bar / wishbone into place and fit the long ones.

If the thread goes, drill the captive bolt thread out, and put a longer bolt right through with a nylock nut. works a treat. MOT man mentioned it but said it was ok.

God luck !!

 

[Shepherd]

Hi Multijtd, I can totally understand your frustration buddy as I did my wishbone two weeks ago. I got the old one out ok but couldn't get the new one in so to get it in I had to take the track rod end out, turn the steering wheel on full lock so that the front of the wheel is pointing in then got someone to pull the whole suspension assembly out of the way to give access to fit the new wishbone. Removing the anti role bar bolts and jacking the bar up a bit helped access. After the four wishbone bolts were done up tight, a bit of levering with a long bar was required to get everything else back into place. I hope this helps.

 

[multijtd]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Much appreciated.

Managed to get it in eventually, but not without having to replace a further three bolts I also had to drill out the hole that the bolt goes through to retain the bottom ball joint to accomodate the new bolt I was using. I'm guessing .5mm wont do any harm and its very secure.

On a side note whilst I was replacing the fuel filter I noticed that the engine mounting immediately to the right of the filter wasnt bolted on. The bolt that attaches it was hanging out, luckily it hadn't fallen out as I was driving