Fiesta suspension disaster

[sierraman]

Changing bottom arms today on fiesta, the remnants of the bolt and nut broke off the pinch bolt going through where the swivel joint sits in. The torx bolt that remains in there is now also twisted beyond use. The bottom arm is still held in the carrier as I can't get the thread and bolt out! Tried drifting the bolt out but won't budge! What to do?

[forddeliveryboy]

I'd chop the outer end off the bottom arm then pull out the strut and do it on the bench. Sounds like it may need some heat. Expect the balljoint to be rusted in, so leave enough arm for a vice to grab onto while you wop the strut off it.

[sierraman]

The nut has broke clean off but the thread remains inside the knuckle. Is the actual swivel joint likely to fall out before I can venture to the garage to have a crack at drilling the fucker out?

[forddeliveryboy]

I'd best not say it's unlikely - expect it to be likely and you'll drive more safely. You're talking less than a couple of miles on quiet, smooth back roads, obviously. Drilling it out could prove hard work as it'll be 10.9 - it should drift out with the strut on a bench with the right hammer, drift and room to swing the hammer. Heat usually works well if everything looks like it's been together since the Ice Age.

[sierraman]

So drill it then give it a good hiding with a drift and the hammer again. Checked the new bolt, says 8.8 so should be easier then. A good half inch of thread is still in the knuckle. Cannot believe what a fuck about it has been. Was worried about having to replace the entire hub!

[stuboy]

Take weight off the pinch bolt and drift bash it out

[PiperCub]

As FDB said, get the strut out and do it on the bench so you can get at it, trying to do this in-situ will be hard work.

[rainagain]

I'd best not say it's unlikely - expect it to be likely and you'll drive more safely. You're talking less than a couple of miles on quiet, smooth back roads, obviously. Drilling it out could prove hard work as it'll be 10.9 - it should drift out with the strut on a bench with the right hammer, drift and room to swing the hammer. Heat usually works well if everything looks like it's been together since the Ice Age.

I had to drill one side out the Megane when I was changing the engine. Typically it was on the side of the car closest to the wall. Take your time, slow drill speed and plenty of lube, snigger

[forddeliveryboy]

Still drilling/bashing? Updates and pics always enjoyed, to remind us all of what we've struggled and battled with.

[sierraman]

Right. Wouldn't budge with drift. Drilled out with mains drill, went through easy. 10 mins tops! Then the vertical bolt sheared. The one bolt I didn't have..

[twosmoke300]

All fords are Shit.

[forddeliveryboy]

Amen

[twosmoke300]

Thought I would get roasted for that comment . It's just the rust , but not just on the body . Every single brake pipe , bolt and suspension part is made by the cheapest bidder and will not come off without a fight

had a 53 plate focus in a week or 2 ago which had rear drum back plates completly rotted out , to the extent the wheel cylinders fell off ! Bad when you consider they are about 3mm thick and nearly 60 quid each .

[sierraman]

I think the 'fords are poorer quality than Vw' etc argument was fairly valid until about 10 years ago. The newer fords I've had have been screwed together well.

 

That said my penchant for skinning my knuckles mending rusty old cars on the driveway is kept up with the fiestas never ending desire for new parts.

 

Decision took whilst I've got strut hanging out to overhaul the suspension then its done!

[fordperv]

All fords designed after the 80s are Shit.

Efa

[sierraman]

Got passenger side done. Now t'other sides knocking!! FFS!!

 

Don't understand why though. The arm on the other side is only 6month old.

[cobblers]

If they are the cheap bottom arms, 6 months is a good run. I put a pair on my mums old KA a couple of years back and it failed the MOT on the ball joint and rear bushes being absolutely knackered 4 months later. They looked like they had covered 100k miles, rather than the 2000 ish that they did. The aftermarket ones all seem absolute shit, I was told ford ones are about £50 a piece but it's worth it especially if you are paying someone to fit them.

[sierraman]

Firstline they are. Don't know if that's good or bad

[saucedoctor]

Fuck I hope it's good! I just put 2  Firstline bottom arms in my Rover last week. Still can't get the bolts back in the tiebar on one side, though.

[Albert Ross]

Twosmoke. I see you live in a coastal area. Was the Ford a Cumbria registration at all?

[twosmoke300]

Dunno , can look back through my invoices and find out . Why do you know it ?