Removal of front spring seats

[thepuddlejumper]

Tried to remove the alloy front spring seats but they are stuck.  Used a hot air gun but no movement, used a scraper to try and break the bond wouldn't budge soaked in release fluid still stuck.  How do you get them off without damaging the studs?  How have you done it, do I need to cut them up to remove?

Ralph

[Pete126]

When i replaced mine I wire brushed the threads that were visible, Soaked them with plusgas and left them overnight to soak, Before I tried to undo the bolts I tried nipping them up slightly to see if they moved which they did then I unscrewed the nut one turn at a time working the nut back and forth on the thread as not to put any strain on the bolt, the bolt heads are welded on the inside of the cross member and if you break the weld it would be a <//["> job to replace them, so gently does it.
If all else fails wash off any oil on the retaining nuts and warm up with a blow torch, Keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case.   

[thepuddlejumper]

Pete thanks for the quick responce I have the spring off and want to replace the alluminium support blocks, a large lump has boroken off one.  The alloy seems to have welded to the steel xmember I can't budge them. It looks as if I will have to cut the centre out and try and rotate the remainder and pull off the stud.  I have bought new support blocks which will have 10mm machined off to lower the front a bit more.

Ralph

[Gadge]

you say you've used heat? was it on the stud or the block? mine is also stuck solid, and was thinking maybe if i heated the block up, it would expand and break the seal?

[thepuddlejumper]

Gadge it was the blocks, might need to apply heat with a blow torch rather than a heat gun although the heat gun does put out a lot of heat.  I have managed to hammer a scraper between the chassis and the centre area of the block and sprayed in relaease oil and left it overnight.  Not had time to work on it tonight so will load up with release oil tonight and tackle it tomorrow.  By the way I took the new seats to a local machine shop to have 10mm removed from the face and they asked for £37.50 + vat I said what!!! for 10mins work. He said thats our minimum charge.  Need to get the hacksaw out and do it myself  robbers.

Ralph

[Gadge]

wow! that is expensive!! i'm lucky enough to own a pillar drill and cross vice. all i need is an MT2 taper milling cutter and i'll do mine my self ......thats if i can get them off that is!! do you know what the maximum amount you can take off it without it causing any problems?

[thepuddlejumper]

Just got mine back cost £20 cheapest I could find.  I removed 10mm, the bottom recesses on the new ones measured 12.5 and 13mm so 10mm would seem OK.  Others on the forum have recommended 10mm.

Ralph

[thepuddlejumper]

Spent most of the morning, outside in the rain, cutting up the spring mount, finally got one off.  It's really awkward lying under the car in the drive.  Started on the other managed to get some movement after cutting it in two, rotates around the stud.  Hope to have it off tomorrow, taken some photos will load up if I can download from my phone.

Ralph

[Floyd]

pictures would be good, ive been following ur adventure(if u would call it one lol) and I have a feeling im going to have trouble when it comes to removing mine too

Keep up the good work buddy

[thepuddlejumper]

Floyd finished the removal of the blocks today, need to remove rust and paint before install.  I will cover all in  copper grease.  Some pictures