Trying this again - looks like a blank message was received by the list... Joe B Jim - Sounds like the bushing is worn out. Pretty typical on this age of Spit. You can replace all the suspension bushings with urethane types for not a lot of money. It can make some cars drive like they are brand new. B Go to your local auto parts store and ask for a "nut splitter". The pimple faced kid behind the desk will look at you like you have antennas growing out of your head, but a good store will have one in stock. Should do the trick for you. It loops over the nut and then a sharp wedge is tightened against the nut to split it. Sometimes you have to split them twice (on opposite sides, natch) to get the nut to fall off. B If this link doesn't work - search for "nut splitter" on amazon.com. B http://www.amazon.com/Steelgrip-2265015-Nut-Splitter-Piece/dp/B003MQIVZA/ref= sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1435012642&sr=8-2&keywords=nut+splitter B Joe Guinan Fremont, NE [email protected] B
Message: 1 Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2015 14:43:39 -0400 From: "Jim Cullen" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: [Spits] Rear Suspension Question Message-ID: <8C7763BFACE24800A41C64967DFF6BB5@cullenfamily> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Happy Fatherbo?=s Day to all the Dadbo?=s out there... Given that it is Fatherbo?=s day I thought it was finally time to diagnose and hopefully fix a tapping/rattling/metalic sound that seemed to be coming from the passenger rear wheel area. Now I am half way through it I am at a bit of a crossroads and thought before I plow ahead it might make sense to get some informed advice beyond my own limited experience (which is limited to trial and error as things have failed over the last 20 years). First the history - The sound started last year and Jade (74 Spitfire) has been in the garage on the DL since. I have learned over the years of owning this car the hard way to not ignore these types of sounds from the rear end (5-6 years ago the right rear axle sheared off mid flight leaving me with three wheels instead of the required 4, but that is another story). Anyhow, I had an inkling the offending noise might be coming from the rear leaf spring (as I noted it seems to be a tapping type sound). So, I got the read end jacked up and the rear leaf spring seems ok, except there seemed to be a bit of an extra gap/space where the rear leaf spring connects to the vertical link. I decided to try and tighten up the nyloc nut and bolt that attaches the vertical link to the leaf spring.... after 3-4 minutes I realized I am not making any headway in tightening it despite using a 5/8 spanner @ one end and a 11/16 ratchet on the other. I then decided to remove the nut and bolt with the aim of replacing the bolt/nyloc nut. Unfortunately after another 2-3 minutes I realize that despite the nut seeming to turn I am not making any progress. After some deductive reasoning I am thinking that the nyloc nut is stripped on the bolt. Now to R and R I am thinking that I will need to cut out the bolt/nut. Questions: 1) What is the easiest way to cut out this bolt/nut bo?= i) using a hacksaw and cutting between the link and the end of the leaf spring? ii) use a dremel to cut off the bolt/nut @ the nut end? 2) If this bolt/nut is not snug, is there a reasonable chance that this (and the corresponding gap/looseness) was the source of the tapping/rattling/metalic sound from the rear end? Opinions appreciated. Thanks, Jim ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ [email protected] Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html Suggested annual donation $11.47 Archive: http://www.team.net/archive Forums: http://www.team.net/forums Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spitfires/[email protected]
