RF Spring Lower Bolt Won't Budge!!!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 636
Likes: 2
From: Lumberton TX
RF Spring Lower Bolt Won't Budge!!!!
Today I went to lower the car. I started on the right front. I jacked the car up, put a small jack stand under the right side of the front spring. I lowered the jack a bit until the spring was resting on the jack stand and took the load off the spring bolt at the end.
From here, I threw everything I had at turning the lowering bolt, but the damn thing wouldn't budge. WTF? I applied WD40 around the threads, used different tools, and even tried the breaker bar. Ended up "breaking" a 1/4" universal joint socket.
Did any of you that lowered your cars have any problems with the lowering bolt being jammed hard into the spring, and having a tough time loosening it?
From here, I threw everything I had at turning the lowering bolt, but the damn thing wouldn't budge. WTF? I applied WD40 around the threads, used different tools, and even tried the breaker bar. Ended up "breaking" a 1/4" universal joint socket.
Did any of you that lowered your cars have any problems with the lowering bolt being jammed hard into the spring, and having a tough time loosening it?
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I've leveled and balanced my car for the track a few times and yes, I've had a bolt that's difficult to turn (I've broken a universal socket as well).
In my case, when I had my car in the air just using a small floor jack to put upwards pressure on leaf spring free'd up the bolt for the direction I needed to turn it (just like you're trying to do).
I don't know if this makes any sense at all (after thinking about it) but if you can't turn the bolt in one direction (when applying pressure to the leaf spring from the bottom), maybe you need to apply pressure to the leaf spring from the opposite direction. I've never used one but I believe the dealership uses a special spring compression tool when they work with the transverse leaf spring. Maybe this would help.
Also, there are better products to loosen bolts than WD40. Whatever you use, maybe let it soak overnight. Lastly, I level my car for optimum track performance but even if you want the factory spec rake, I'd remember there are procedures to follow, measurements to take, etc. to make sure your car is setup correctly.
Good luck!
In my case, when I had my car in the air just using a small floor jack to put upwards pressure on leaf spring free'd up the bolt for the direction I needed to turn it (just like you're trying to do).
I don't know if this makes any sense at all (after thinking about it) but if you can't turn the bolt in one direction (when applying pressure to the leaf spring from the bottom), maybe you need to apply pressure to the leaf spring from the opposite direction. I've never used one but I believe the dealership uses a special spring compression tool when they work with the transverse leaf spring. Maybe this would help.
Also, there are better products to loosen bolts than WD40. Whatever you use, maybe let it soak overnight. Lastly, I level my car for optimum track performance but even if you want the factory spec rake, I'd remember there are procedures to follow, measurements to take, etc. to make sure your car is setup correctly.
Good luck!
Last edited by Wayne O; Jul 8, 2008 at 09:56 AM.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 463
Likes: 4
From: Park City, UT
I've leveled and balanced my car for the track a few times and yes, I've had a bolt that's difficult to turn (I've broken a universal socket as well).
In my case, when I had my car in the air just using a small floor jack to put upwards pressure on leaf spring free'd up the bolt for the direction I needed to turn it (just like you're trying to do).
I don't know if this makes any sense at all (after thinking about it) but if you can't turn the bolt in one direction (when applying pressure to the leaf spring from the bottom), maybe you need to apply pressure to the leaf spring from the opposite direction. I've never used one but I believe the dealership uses a special spring compression tool when they work with the transverse leaf spring. Maybe this would help.
Also, there are better products to loosen bolts than WD40. Whatever you use, maybe let it soak overnight. Lastly, I level my car for optimum track performance but even if you want the factory spec rake, I'd remember there are procedures to follow, measurements to take, etc. to make sure your car is setup correctly.
Good luck!
In my case, when I had my car in the air just using a small floor jack to put upwards pressure on leaf spring free'd up the bolt for the direction I needed to turn it (just like you're trying to do).
I don't know if this makes any sense at all (after thinking about it) but if you can't turn the bolt in one direction (when applying pressure to the leaf spring from the bottom), maybe you need to apply pressure to the leaf spring from the opposite direction. I've never used one but I believe the dealership uses a special spring compression tool when they work with the transverse leaf spring. Maybe this would help.
Also, there are better products to loosen bolts than WD40. Whatever you use, maybe let it soak overnight. Lastly, I level my car for optimum track performance but even if you want the factory spec rake, I'd remember there are procedures to follow, measurements to take, etc. to make sure your car is setup correctly.
Good luck!
Also, it might be worth a try to "tighten" the bolt to get it moving, and then back it out.
The measurements I took were at the very top of the wheel well (as it's a good measure for change in hight) for each wheel. Then I ensured my hights were within 1/8" of eachother from left to right allowing for the slightly higher measurements on the left to allow for my fat a$$ getting in the car and leveling it off.
If you have the time, patience and assistance, I'd recommend getting a friend or family member to measure the ride hight with you in the car or placing some weight in the drivers seat to compensate for your body weight. Then when you "make your measurements" you're doing so with the correct weight distribution.
Good Luck!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 636
Likes: 2
From: Lumberton TX
I'm going to go to Sears and get a better tool, maybe the longest 10mm wrench I can find. I had thought about seeing if I could break the bolt loose the other way. I may try that, and I all I have is WD40. But you guys are probably right, there are better products for loosening bolts like this.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to get back to the car soon, (I have 14yrds of 60/40 dirt to level out). But when I do, I let you guys know what I find, hopefully, that works! Thanks!
I'm not sure if I'll be able to get back to the car soon, (I have 14yrds of 60/40 dirt to level out). But when I do, I let you guys know what I find, hopefully, that works! Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
while you're at sears see if they have some "PB Blaster". it's in a crazy looking spray can with all kinds of stuff written on it. but my friend the mechanic swears by it (not at it). It has a yellow or white cap.
I have a can and use it for everything, but haven't done what you're doing. If not at sears see if autozone, pep, advance have it. Usually, they do.
As others before have said, maybe spray and let it soak in overnight. Might help.
I have a can and use it for everything, but haven't done what you're doing. If not at sears see if autozone, pep, advance have it. Usually, they do.
As others before have said, maybe spray and let it soak in overnight. Might help.
