Post by iceman666987im working on an 89 festiva i need to replace the spindle on the right rear
and im haven one hell of a time with the bolts that hold it on i have tried
a setaline torch to heat them up while using an electric impact and these
bolts just aren budging... i need some new ideas if anyone can help me out
with this it would be great.
You cannot turn the head part of the bolts because they are pressed/driven
into the hub and have serrated edges on the bolt to keep them from turning.
You will need to use a socket and an extension to unscrew the nuts from the
backside. If you heat them with a torch, they should come right off. The only
problem you are going to have is that the base of the shock may block your
accesss to a couple of the nuts. If you try to remove the shock you may not be
able to get the bolt out of it without destroying the shock. The bolt that goes
through the shock is usually seized to the steel bushing inside the rubber
bushing. The way I do it is to take the cutting torch and cut the shock off at
the round steel part that the rubber bushing is inside of. Then cut the steel
outer shell and remove it from the rubber bushing. The rubber bushing wiil burn
when you do this so be sure your gas tank does not have a leak. Festivas are
known for having leaky gas tanks. Have a bucket of water handy along with a
cup so you can put water on the rubber bushing when you cut the outer shell.
Make sure you also have a fire extinguisher at hand. If you have never done
any cutting of this type with a torch, don't try it. Get someone who is experienced
to help you. Once you have the outer shell cut away, remove the rubber bushing.
Heat the steel bushing red hot and the bolt that was holding the shock should
come right out. Once you have removed the shock, you can easily get at all the
spindle bolts.
Disclaimer: This is the way I have done several of these. I have a lot of experience
doing this type of work. I am not responsible for any damage or injuries you may
incur from attempting this operation yourself.
John