Front Top Wishbone removal

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Front Top Wishbone removal

Postby Bern » Fri 24.11.2017, 15:30

I knew this would happen! After saying, in reply to Jonathan's post on suspension rebuilds, that I was finding it surprisingly easy - I've found a problem!

How are you supposed to get both nuts off to remove the upper front wishbone arms?

The easiest one has come off, but the other just turns with the whole shaft. I was going to put a locking nut on the free side, but it seems to be an odd thread size and I don't have anything that fits it. I need to do the other side as well, so I guess I'll take one off of there and use that. It just means I cant complete one side at a time, which is how I usually like to do these things!

Or is it a left hand thread?

And while I'm here, any tips on getting the right hand driveshaft off the intermediate shaft whilst it's on the car? I can't get anything on it to lever or tap, the exhaust is in the way. I don't really want to take the intermediate shaft off for a 3rd time!

Cheers,

Bern.
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Re: Front Top Wishbone removal

Postby Bern » Fri 24.11.2017, 15:59

Ahhhhhhh! There's a lock nut already on the other side! Nice :-)
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Re: Front Top Wishbone removal

Postby lotusflasherman » Fri 24.11.2017, 17:24

Bern wrote:Ahhhhhhh! There's a lock nut already on the other side! Nice :-)


Always worth having a look at the Parts Manual before you start anything new. The exploded diagrams are much more informative than paragraphs in the Service Manual. Lotus call it a 'half nut' Item 38 on 31.01A.
Phil

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Re: Front Top Wishbone removal

Postby Bern » Fri 24.11.2017, 17:38

That's probably a good idea, though I've not actually looked at either - I just make it all up as I go along!

(which is probably quite obvious)
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Re: Front Top Wishbone removal

Postby Brit-Car-Nut » Fri 24.11.2017, 17:45

If you don't know it already, a link to all of the manuals in PDF format is in my signature below...
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Re: Front Top Wishbone removal

Postby Bern » Fri 24.11.2017, 17:58

TBH, I hadn't noticed (somehow), but that's really useful. Thanks :-)
'90 Elan SE
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'16 Renault Zoe
'03 VW Transporter
'72 Land Rover 88
'80ish Kubota B5100E
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Re: Front Top Wishbone removal

Postby lotusflasherman » Fri 24.11.2017, 18:25

Not a good idea to make it up as you go along. VERY IMPORTANT to know where shims are going to be so you can remove them and be sure to put them back where they came from or the geometry will be out ... not a good idea to have them drop on the floor with " ****, where did those come from?" Castor and camber is set with shims on the top wishbone assembly.
Phil

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Re: Front Top Wishbone removal

Postby Bern » Fri 24.11.2017, 18:35

The first time I took it apart I watched the useful video on You tube, so I knew about the shims etc (so I'm actually not completely making it up :oops: ).

And I'm always careful with these things, noting what goes where as I remove bits - I've learned from experience!!
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'80ish Kubota B5100E
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Re: Front Top Wishbone removal

Postby Brit-Car-Nut » Fri 24.11.2017, 19:15

Bern wrote:TBH, I hadn't noticed (somehow), but that's really useful. Thanks :-)

No problem. They are there to be helpful.
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