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Rotus 7 suspension nuts and bolts


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http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/banghead.gif I am in the process of removing the 22 year old suspension from my Rotus 7. I am in the mood to break or throw something. I have never been so frustrated with a project. I thought it would be a 1 hour job however as I loostened the rusty nuts I discovered the bolts attached to said nuts seem to have corroded themselves to the sleeves inside the coilovers as well as the suspension arms. After several hours and many a sawzall blade later I got one strut off but I still have a partial bolt through the lower arm and the frame. I thought I would step back and take a break. So I went back instead as I love punishing myself. I tried to get the bolt out of the upper suspension arm but it too is rusted to the inner sleeve I believe. I used a torch to heat the arm and bolt to try and relieve some pressure but it did not help. I am at a loss. Should I buy more sawzall baldes and keep hacking bolts until i get it all off? Once I do get everything off I will blast and powdercoat all the parts before reattaching them, however if I could get them off in the first place I would be thrilled. So if anyone has any ideas let me know before I do something too stupid. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/confused5.gif
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I've had good luck using this penetrating oil called Aero Kroil, along with some heat and some patience. If that doesn't work you'll probably need to cut them off....

 

 

 

Hope this helps, Bruce

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Good luck Robert. Patience! Patience! Patience!

 

 

 

Penetrating oil .. heat .. breaker bar .. and a pipe extension.

 

 

 

And as you replace parts .. note them and send the part numbers to me so we can add them to the Rotus Parts List in the tech section.

 

 

 

BTW: What shocks are you going to mount? And do you have a source for the 2 front ball joints?

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell

 

solder_guy2007-03-10 07:51:35

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I've had good luck using this penetrating oil called Aero Kroil, along with some heat and some patience. If that doesn't work you'll probably need to cut them off....

 

 

 

Hope this helps, Bruce

 

 

 

yup, some sort of oil, PB blaster is my ilk, and then torch the offending bolt or nut for a bit and then let it cool down.

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Robert:

 

 

 

Any luck yet?

 

 

 

I've just replaced three master cylinders .. two front calipers and two rear drum cylinders .. fixed a small brake master leak .. and delt with a frustrating drum situation that finally came together. Whew!

 

 

 

Now on to the clutch.

 

 

 

Rob M.

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

 

 

Cut everything out finally. ordered new bushings and bolts. I am going to try to adapt a set of Spax coilovers from a caterham that I got however they are 2 inches shorter than the Koni's that were on the car. If they don't work out I will get something else. i am unsure of the part number for the upper ball joint but I think I have an idea. I will be having the parts sandblasted and powdercoated before reinstallation next week. Then it's on to wiring and attaching my low back caterham seats. Then I will upgrade the rear supension, and rear axle with one that has disc brakes. Then to cosmetics such as attaching my new cycle fenders and rear fenders and having the painted and having a new top and tonneau made. Sounds like I have a lot to do. Something to keep me busy I guess.

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I am going to try to adapt a set of Spax coilovers from a caterham that I got however they are 2 inches shorter than the Koni's that were on the car.

 

 

 

If the Spax coilovers don't work out, I'm interested in buying them from you.

 

 

 

Skip

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Skip I will let you know in the next couple of weeks. They have both stock caterham springs nad upgraded #250 pound springs for the front. The rear spax are from a Dedion and again have the stock springs and upgraded springs but I forget what the rate is off the top of my head.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I am going to the powder coater today to pick up my suspension parts. I will hopefuly have a chance today or tomorrow to get started putting the parts back on. The biggest challenge will be getting the new bushings in. I am unsure how hard it will be to press them in. My new front shocks are a couple inches shorter than the stock Koni's so if they don't sit right I will have to buy something else. We'll see what happens.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Robert, it's my turn now.

 

Starting on taking the front suspension apart. 3 hours of banging and hammering, and I have the upper Aarm bolt on one side half way out - and stuck. :banghead:

 

With mine, I don't think corrosion is an issue... the bolt just does not want to come out of the bushing.

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Yes this is a pain in the ass. Very frustrating. the bolts like mine are probably corroded on to the sleeves inside the bushings. Cut the bolts off and save some time and frustration. I had the same problem with the lower suspension as well.:cheers: Good luck!!

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Robert, it's my turn now.

 

Starting on taking the front suspension apart. 3 hours of banging and hammering, and I have the upper Aarm bolt on one side half way out - and stuck. :banghead:

 

With mine, I don't think corrosion is an issue... the bolt just does not want to come out of the bushing.

 

Two words. PB Blaster & BFH

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