Strut Knuckle Bolt & Size Of Top Mount Nuts

[JohnPic]

Removing the front off side strut on an 03 Alhambra diesel.  Friend has cut out the top mount but cannot undo the bolt holding the strut to the steering knuckle. He has heated it up, welded on nuts and got not even a full turn before the nut has gone.  Have thought about drilling it out but that seems destined to fail. 

 

Is the best thing just to tighten it up and snap the bolt holding it to the knuckle, can it be cut?  Any suggestions please.

 

Secondly the new strut has come without the two nuts at the top.  Does anyone know what thread and size they are to get new ones?

 

Thanks for any help.

[insanitybeard]

The problem is that the strut to knuckle bolt locates in a recess in the strut tube, so until the bolt is out you won't be able to remove the knuckle from the strut. Has the bolt now sheared, or is it still in there locked solid?

[traff]

i had to drill mine out using a pillar drill and replace the bolt with a longer nut and bolt.....lock nut ....think its an m 12

[Barlidge]

i had to drill mine out using a pillar drill and replace the bolt with a longer nut and bolt.....lock nut ....think its an m 12

 

Had to do the same on one of mine, def M12.

[JohnPic]

The problem is that the strut to knuckle bolt locates in a recess in the strut tube, so until the bolt is out you won't be able to remove the knuckle from the strut. Has the bolt now sheared, or is it still in there locked solid?

Hi Insanitybeard

Thanks I have not seen it, its 30 miles from me, but bolt has sheared and remaining thread is locked solid, even welding a nut on the stud and it won't come out.  Guess it needs drilled out.  Presume that means taking the hub of and finding a pillar drill which he does not have or getting a second hand hub.  I know he was looking for a hub on the net.  Seems that is the way forward.  The job was to big for me to tackle just now, just have an open car part to work in and far to much work for next two weeks then supposed to be away for two weeks.  A car would be a good thing to have so gave it to him to sort. 

[JohnPic]

Guys thanks for the help.  Guess a pillar drill and a lot of hassle would be the best way, though think we are looking for a hub.

[insanitybeard]

It's a tricky one, if you had time to play with you could possibly save the knuckle by a combination of penetrating oil followed by alternate heating and cooling (with freeze spray) to try to free up the seized bolt remains, weld another nut on and try to free it slowly, move it a little then wind it back in, more oil, heat etc, move it a bit more etc. 

 

If you can't be doing with this then yes, either remove the knuckle and pillar drill out the remains- you've still got to free the strut first to do this though!- if the strut is scrap you could just cut through it above the knuckle (but be cautious- I'm not sure if the damping fluid is under pressure!), or alternatively, find a good secondhand knuckle- if it's coming complete with hub though, make sure the wheel bearing isn't knackered before you stick it all back together!

[Kevinb]

Hi everyone,

 

One of Johnpic's questions was the size of the top mount nut. I'm also after this knowledge. Can anyone tell us as to what size ring spanner I need for the nut.

 

Many thanks,

 

Kevin

[sparky Paul]

One of Johnpic's questions was the size of the top mount nut. I'm also after this knowledge. Can anyone tell us as to what size ring spanner I need for the nut.

 

 21mm IIRC

[Kevinb]

^{Many thanks for that Sparky Paul.}

[bigdave982]

I used a spark plug socket with a hex head, before giving up and cutting the cups off then impact driver in a vice