I am removing my rotten fixed rear axle / rear sub-frame, to fit a new one, but the last bolt holding the sub-frame to the chassis turns very stiffly and won't come out.
Everything was going so smoothly. I am trying to remove the sub-frame without disassembling the brakes etc., by detaching the swing arms before removing the sub-frame.
The exhaust is lowered, spare wheel removed, shocks removed, springs removed, swing arm bearing bolts removed, swing arms dropped out of sub-frame and brake pipes detached from the fixed rear axle. Three of the last four bolts, through the suspension mounts, have come out with no problems, but the fourth one turns very stiffly and won't come out.
The bolt has come out by about 10mm, but was very stiff all the way. Now turning it further doesn't seem to make any difference. Of course whatever it is screwed into (captive nut ?) is internal to the box section, with no access holes.
When I turn the bolt, it is a constant stiffness. If a captive nut had come loose I would have expected it to be very loose, or to feel tight then slip then tight, etc.
The bolt and whatever it is still attached to will move/rattle slightly when wiggled by hand.
Any suggestions on what's happening, and how I can sort it out ?
Everything was going so smoothly. I am trying to remove the sub-frame without disassembling the brakes etc., by detaching the swing arms before removing the sub-frame.
The exhaust is lowered, spare wheel removed, shocks removed, springs removed, swing arm bearing bolts removed, swing arms dropped out of sub-frame and brake pipes detached from the fixed rear axle. Three of the last four bolts, through the suspension mounts, have come out with no problems, but the fourth one turns very stiffly and won't come out.
The bolt has come out by about 10mm, but was very stiff all the way. Now turning it further doesn't seem to make any difference. Of course whatever it is screwed into (captive nut ?) is internal to the box section, with no access holes.
When I turn the bolt, it is a constant stiffness. If a captive nut had come loose I would have expected it to be very loose, or to feel tight then slip then tight, etc.
The bolt and whatever it is still attached to will move/rattle slightly when wiggled by hand.
Any suggestions on what's happening, and how I can sort it out ?