Rear Drop Links being PITA

**JamesT5** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 14:41

This morning, I spent over 2 hours trying to take off 2 x 19mm bolts from the drivers side droplink thread and got absolutely nowhere. I tried a blow torch, penetrating fluid, a hacksaw, a drill and the things just won't budge. So......

Off I went to Homebase and got myself an Angle Grinder, I thought if these don't come off I'm doing it the Martin Peachey way!

I'll update you all later......

**abdul** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 14:52

Any pictures

**JamesT5** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 14:53

Originally Posted by abdul

Any pictures

I'll be posting some up later on mate.

**abdul** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 14:56

Thanks would like to see what they look like

**graemewelch** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 15:00

Get the 1mm cut discs. Makee quick work of them

**M-R-P** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 15:06

I wouldn't recommend 1mm disks for a novice...

they can be a bit shatter-y

**Harvey** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 15:35

Oxygen & Acetylenic makes light work of them.

**stribo** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 16:18

Originally Posted by M-R-P

I wouldn't recommend 1mm disks for a novice...

they can be a bit shatter-y

Shattery's fun, adds a bit of excitement to a boring job.

**JamesT5** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 19:58

I've had a guts full today, I really have. The ruddy drop link on the drivers side (rear) is still attached and is now hanging down loose from the top of the large mount. It took me about an hour of angle grinding the lower bolt to finally get it out and I can't angle grind the top one off because the control arm and large metal mount are in the way. I've started to hacksaw through the top thread and got almost half way but the hacksaw blade is blunt as a stone so I'll have to get another one tomorrow and keep trying.

I haven't even started on the passenger side yet - what another ball ache today. Something else has cropped up today as well, I'll post another thread on that now.

Anyway, some pictures (sorry, they're a little blurred).....

**JamesT5** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 19:59

Back at work tomorrow night as well so all this will have to be done before I go to work. Nightmare or what!

**M-R-P** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 22:15

Instead of trying to cut the bolt/nut off James, cut along the bolt and cut the nut in half length-ways. The nut will then just knock off and you can then pull the bolt out.

**JamesT5** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 22:22

Originally Posted by M-R-P

Instead of trying to cut the bolt/nut off James, cut along the bolt and cut the nut in half length-ways. The nut will then just knock off and you can then pull the bolt out.

Good thinking maestro, I'll give that a go!

**M-R-P** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 22:32

Thank me tomorrow, if you don't have a face full of shrapnel lol.

**graemewelch** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 23:15

Theres a skill to being good with a angle grinder. Ask pedro

. But seriously be carful when getting into tight spots with grinders. Ive been working in the welding and fabrication game for a lot of years and seen some nasty injuries from grinders. If the blade jams itll kick.

**M-R-P** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 23:20

Originally Posted by graemewelch

Theres a skill to being good with a angle grinder. Ask pedro

. But seriously be carful when getting into tight spots with grinders. Ive been working in the welding and fabrication game for a lot of years and seen some nasty injuries from grinders. If the blade jams itll kick.

Yep, a lad at work took a 9" Fein grinder to the face, after it kicked up at him. Luckily he was wearing a full face shield but it still split his bottom lip.

**stribo** · Sunday 16th March 2014, 23:26

Yep seen the pics on inductions at work, luckily we only use Stihl 'disc cutters' which will only take a limb off.

**JamesT5** · Monday 17th March 2014, 08:20

I'm being fairly gentle with it and trying not to twist the blade or get it jammed (easier said than done). I'm also using a full face mask that I got from the chainsaw shop and some gloves to protect my hands from sparks and light debris.

**V70 Graham** · Monday 17th March 2014, 08:36

Do I need an angle grinder ?

**M-R-P** · Monday 17th March 2014, 08:38

Originally Posted by V70 Graham

Do I need an angle grinder ?

No.

**graemewelch** · Monday 17th March 2014, 10:48

Originally Posted by M-R-P

Yep, a lad at work took a 9" Fein grinder to the face, after it kicked up at him. Luckily he was wearing a full face shield but it still split his bottom lip.

ive had a 9" grinder kick on me a few times. luckily i was wearing a full screen at the time or else it could of been nasty. even a 4.5" is bad enough when they kick. a lad i work with cut the tendons in his arm doing a simple cut that he carried out every day. heavy engineering is a dangerous game, its one im hoping im never going to have to do again.