Spindle Arm and Steering Knuckle bolts

[RMadden]

Well I finally started working on the Fiat again, college and work are letting up a little so I finally have the time , and I decided to tackle something easy. I began disassembling the front passenger steering and suspension components this weekend and ran into a snag, I can't seem to get the 4 bols/nuts off that hold the steering knuckle and spindle arm together.




I read Jay's post and realized I hadn't bent back the tabs on the nuts, oops , but even with them flat these damn things won't come off .
http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=21050






I've been trying to do this with it off the car, that's what the manual said, but I'm starting to wonder if I should be trying with it back on.. Any advice

[vandor]

Do the bolts spin, or you can't put enough force on the nuts to turn them?

[DRUMMOND]

best to loosen them up on the car, 17mm socket on the front , bend the circle collar by the front bolts so the socket will sit properly.
use some wd on the bolts first as they tend to rust inside the arms,let them sit for 24hrs. back nuts loosen first , use an impact wrench and socket 17mm or a long pry bar or a long circle wrench

[azruss]

I did mine off the car. easier to work on. you need a good vice and table to hold them firm. an impact wrench will help.

[RMadden]

The bolts don't spin. I'm only using a normal socket wrench, so it looks like I might not be getting enough torque on them? I've only been using a 3/8" though, my 17mm socket that would fit my 1/2" breaker bar seems to have disappeared I think my neighbor might have one though..
If that fails, guess I'll have to either find a torque wrench to borrow or buy one. Are the electric kind good enough? I would really rather not have to spend more than i have to, and an air one would mean I would also need a compressor and hoses.

I sprayed them with some PB Blaster last night and again this morning, but still no luck. I haven't bent back the lip on the front side yet, my only concern is that I wouldn't be able to bend it back right. Or is that pretty easy to do and a non-issue?

[RMadden]

Well I decided to try again, only this time with them back on the car. With one foot on the idler arm and both hands on the wrench I yanked with as much might as I could muster and.... nothing . I guess this means I'll definitely need to either get an impact or at the very least bend back the lip on the front so as to get another socket on there.

*Edit* And probably a silly question but I just want to make sure; these are normal right-handed nuts right? I really hope so, or else I've spent a weekend mastering how to be a more self-defeating person .

[4uall]

Ryan, yours is cleaner than mine ever was If memory serves me (2 yrs &10 days ago ) I used my socket set and impact driver. I pounded the bolts through with my BFH. I ended up buying all new grade 8 bolts and using my grinder to edge the bolt heads

Deep Creep works great

[RMadden]

Ryan, yours is cleaner than mine ever was If memory serves me (2 yrs &10 days ago ) I used my socket set and impact driver. I pounded the bolts through with my BFH. I ended up buying all new grade 8 bolts and using my grinder to edge the bolt heads

Deep Creep works great

Thanks, Jay! I've been pretty lucky so far with rust and grime, plus I try to always wire brush everything at least a little before I try disassembling. When you say impact driver, do you mean like this



or this?



Well if I ever get these nuts off, I may need to do the same thing.

Deep Creep you say? I'll have to keep an eye out for some next time I head out.
How's Fiona running by the way? Driving right now or away in storage?

[wizard124]

During my suspension work, I loosened those nuts with hand tools. If you have a big rubber mallet or sledge you can try hitting the end of the breaker bar to bust the nut loose. The pipe over the breaker works too if you have room.

I picked up a 1/2 inch electric impact wrench from Harbor Freight, plus sockets, plus extensions. Terrific investment; use on front crank and cam bolts. Would loosen those nuts you are working on in a flash. I bought the plug in type, not too $$$.

[4uall]

this is what i have

[DanD]

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tool ... 68099.html

[RMadden]

Alrighty then, looks like I'll be picking up an impact wrench on my way home from school. Lucky thing I have some coupons for Harbor Freight lying around

[njoconnor]

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tool ... 68099.html

+1 on this tool (mine says "Craftsman", and is about 15 years old). It has persuaded many a stubborn nut and/or bolt to reconsider it's attachment.

I also picked up a 1/2 drive cordless C3 impact driver, and it's socket based 3/8 little brother. Amazing how small a space those get into, and they're almost as good at loosening.

Lots of PB blaster (or equivalent) and patience...

Neil

[RMadden]

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tool ... 68099.html

^^I picked this up on my way home and wasted no time in putting it to the test..


Success

With those bolts out I was able to move on and remove the ball joints, which didn't put up too much of a fight after a good soaking in PB Blaster. With everything now apart, the refurbishing can begin

Thank you so much everyone! . I'm sure you'll be hearing from me more often as the re-build moves forward. I think I may start a thread in 'Restoration projects' as I get more involved, but we shall see.

[4uall]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M