Rounded 8mm allen on the front wishbone

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Whilst lowering the van I have managed to round off one of the 8mm allen bolts that hold the wishbone and link arm together. Do I:

a) use an easi-out tool
b) hacksaw the head off and use a stud extractor
c) continue crying
d) Wollop a cheap socket piece over it

I've tried hammering a chisel into it but it wouldn't stay and I can't get enough grip with molies (although I haven't filed the side of the head). It moved a 1/4 turn before I rounded it but there is a sticking point that I forced too much dispite using about half a can of WD40! I've searched around online and get mixed answers so I'm asking you lot !

[fix]

I think the first thing id try is either trying to hammer an allen key the next size up into the bolt to make new grooves, then id try a socket over the bolt if possible.

It might not be right but thats what id do!

[PEET]

Heat it up with a propane burner whack it a bit n use the correct sized allen socket or even better an impact driver with the 8mm key in it definately not an allen key... or angle grind it off the heat will loosen it and you can remove it with molies once ya take it off... or hacksaw it off n replace the joint entirely... let us know how ya get on but heat helps the most..

[Rozzo]

try an allen key from an imperial set, theres probs one thats around 8.5mm that'll knock in. and use plus gas instead of wd40 cos its not a penetrating fluid its a water displacer.
also you could try a small pair of stilsons if theres enough head to get hold of.
good luck with it.

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Cheers guys. I don't have access to a heat source or a grinder PEET, so I'm going with the brute method. My socket set hasn't proved to be much good so I'm going to buy a decent one tomorrow and sacrifice parts of mine to the cause. I've already bought the replacement bolt so just going to be mindful of the threads.

[PEET]

If it all goes wrong then that swivel is only 10-15 quid anyway - mind u so's a grinder these days n if u keep driving a T3 you'll need it again n again n again..

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Some Plus Gas, a tiny file, some good Molegrips, a decent set of allen keys, a hammered socket (which I saved afterwards!) and a good quality breaking bar later and I have fully lowered van! Bought the kit off eBay saying it was a -40mm (red springs so I assume Just Krampers) but the drop seems more. I think it looks good so details don't bother me, but with standard wheels/tyres the top of the tyre is just tucked into the arch. I didn't bother doing the bumpstops thinking the drop was only 40mm. Probably have to do that next

[asahartz]

That sounds like the kit I have. I understood it to be Jamex.

It works OK anyway - I did do the bumpstops on mine.

Got to say though, you can't beat air tools for suspension work!

[ginge]

stillsons

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Yea, yea, I don't want to incite a "what lowering kit" debate like I said, I just don't want to drift all over the motorway in the slightest breeze any more!

I just took it for a spin and I have to do the bumpstops asap! I think I ruptured my spleen.

[gti mad man]

or bang in a double splined bit