What is this called (pic)? Also, issue with a bolt, any advice?

[ScarySquirrel]

Hi all,

What is the name of the part with the red arrows pointing to it?

Also, I started to undo the nut that is circled, but when it got near the top the age and condition of the thread/bolt has caused it to get stuck, meaning that no matter whether I try to tighten it back up or get it off, the whole thing just spins round. I've tried WD40 and a pair of pliers to hold the top of the bolt while I turn the nut to no avail.

The trouble is, it now means the part with the arrows is loose. Is this dangerous to drive on as I need to get it to a garage to fix. Or can you recommend a way of me fixing it?

Thanks

 

[LiamR172]

Thats the steering arm(?) That the arrows are pointing to

Edit- if your doing your track rod end, cant you just grind that bolt off seeing as its being replaced?

Someone should be along to confirm?

 

[Fred@BTM]

put a trottle juack under the track rod end (the bit you've circled) and jack it up, it'll come off then

 

[easym5]

As above its your steering arm with the track rod end,you need to grip the rod and turn the nut on the end of the rod (track rod end),then you can cut that nut off you have circled

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Well, here's the thing. I don't actually need to replace the arm.

The reason I started undoing the bolt was because I was trying to fit new shocks but I couldn't get them in as the bottom was getting caught. So I was going to undo the steering arm, fit the shock, then do the steering up back up again.

Turns out the person who sold me the shocks sent me the wrong ones, they're about 5 inches longer than my original shocks, so **** knows what car they're from.

Does this now mean that I need to replace the whole arm though? I really can't get the bolt off though. Do you think I need to saw it off and get another one?

 

[guysy]

All you need to do is jack up underneath where your circle is (under the track rod end) so the thread stops spinning, then tighten that nut back up.

And make sure the nut to the left of your arrows is also tight.

 

[Fred@BTM]

put down the spanners! removing the steering to fit shocks?

 

[LiamR172]

If you can do what Fred says then do that, but if not then chop it off and replace it. Less than a tenner for a track rod end anyways

 

[ScarySquirrel]

All you need to do is jack up underneath where your circle is (under the track rod end) so the thread stops spinning, then tighten that nut back up.

And make sure the nut to the left of your arrows is also tight.

I'll give that a go, although I'm not entirely sure if jacking that bit up with stop it spinning enough.

put down the spanners! removing the steering to fit shocks?

Yes, as above, I had the wrong shocks and undoing that part seemed like the easier way to fit them. It wasn't until I got the shocks in the right space that i realised they were too big. Had I known I had the wrong shocks then obviously I wouldn't have done it.

 

[Fred@BTM]

it will trust me, jack it (with the shock fitted!!!) enough so the car is nearly lifting up (do it on full lock too, makes it easier)

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Thanks Fred, I'll give it a go.

I bet you think most of us amateur mechanics are right tits a lot of the time, haha

 

[Joe R26]

Lol @ put down the spanners.

 

[Fred@BTM]

no no, fair play for having a go, but for future reference to fit 4 shocks/springs on an RS clio we charge £54 = 1 hour labour, save you getting your hands dirty

 

[ScarySquirrel]

no no, fair play for having a go, but for future reference to fit 4 shocks/springs on an RS clio we charge £54 = 1 hour labour, save you getting your hands dirty

If you were closer I would have the car with you right this second, as I have another 4 or 5 things need sorting before I can sell it

 

[James28]

I'm happy to give you a hand mate!

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Thanks for the offer. I'm reluctant to drive it anywhere too far away, but may take you up on that if I can't sort it myself.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Fred, I love you, that worked a treat an it's all tightened up now

 

[Budgie]

Yep, jack up the underside of the TRE before undoing/tightening and it'll spin straight off.

 

[Wick]

Fred, I love you

FLOL! The man knows!

 

[ScarySquirrel]

I have a new problem now though. I've got the new shock/spring in place and held in place by the top mounts, but it's no way near lining up with the hub bolt spaces, I have no idea how I'm going to line them up, let alone doing it long enough to get the bolts through.

Any ideas?

 

[Joe R26]

I used a long breaker bar. Put it between the subframe and anti roll bar and lever it down so the hub comes down. I do that with my foot on the bar whilst I put the bolts through the hub and strut lol.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Thanks dude, I'll go try that now.

 

[Budgie]

As above. Having a friend to help is useful. But entirely do-able on your own.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

That helped get it closer but not close enough to get in

how much pressure fownwards can I put on the wishbone?

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Right, got it, someone helped

 

[Joe R26]

Good. Btw wasn't it you that stopped and spoke to me and dr Jekyll sometime last year at the little chef in flimwell?

 

[Wick]

I had the same problem mate, big bar required. Enough to pull it down not enough to pull it off the axle stands lol!

 

[Rob]

Edit: Didn't see page two.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

What have I done wrong here at the rear? Is there supposed to be a bush (or whatever you call it) on the other side as well to stop this? If so is there any way off with it with undoing everything I just did? The rear ARB made it a real pain!

Good. Btw wasn't it you that stopped and spoke to me and dr Jekyll sometime last year at the little chef in flimwell?

Yeah that was me

 

[Budgie]

Yep, should be a rubber stopper on the wheel arch side also.

I always just undo the drop links on the Whiteline and angle it out the way. Two nuts and it's not a problem anymore..

 

[Carlv8415]

When fitting shocks I always jack up both sides means your not fighting against the anti roll bar

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Right, got it
Thanks for everyone's help

 

[Joe R26]

I always thought you had ktec coilovers on your car?

 

[ScarySquirrel]

I did, I removed them today to put standard shocks and springs (well, Cooksport springs) on ready to sell it as I'm moving to Canada in March. I'll be gutted to see it go but there's no point of me keeping it.

It's all sorted now, thanks for everyone's help.

The coilovers are screwed, they're barely adjustable anymore as I never cleaned them!

 

[Matt@codered]

Should have given me a shout. Only in pembury.