suspension blocks

[gammakeith]

Can anyone advise what the probability of shifting the aluminium leaf-spring mounting blocks will be?  They appear to be pretty much corroded hard onto the studs?  The reason is that I am wanting to make up some brackets to mate up to a towing A-frame that I got cheap.  That way when we go on holiday with the motorhome we can tow the little Fiat behind the big Fiat       However, for obvious reasons its all got to be secure so my plan was to remove the alloy blocks and sandwich the fittings underneath.  If I reduce the height of the blocks accordingly then I can preserve the ride-height.  However, if removing the blocks will be impossible without destroying them (or the studs) then I may need to think again.

Thanks,

Keith

[Pete126]

Hi Keith, Go round the retaining nuts/threads with a stiff wire brush once you've cleaned them up spray them with penetrating oil or wd40 let it soak in for a couple of days then you should be able to remove them without a problem, remember the spring is under load and can cause injury so be carefull    

[Gadge]

I had the very same issue only last weekend when I fitted my shorter ones. I used a blow torch. Not for long but it was enough to expand the studs and break the corrosion that grips them

[gammakeith]

Hi Guys, thanks for the input.  It sounds like its going to be worth a try to shift them.

Keith

[Gadge]

If you do get them off give the studs a going over with a wire brush then coat them with copper grease before you refit

[baron_matt]

If you are just changing the spring, should you remove the blocks?

[jokke]

If you do get them off give the studs a going over with a wire brush then coat them with copper grease before you refit

Better use alu grease og ceramic grease. Copper will react with the aluminium blocks and tear they apart.

[Gadge]

If you are just changing the spring, should you remove the blocks?

The blocks kind of just fall off if there not seized on so no you don't have to remove them to change the spring however I would just to break the corrosion seal that will inevitably be holding them in place.