The 'E' Type Forum

I had to remove the lower rear wishbone after having to cut the radius arm bolt which was seized in. Just wondering if there are any tips in replacing it? I will remove the lower plate and somehow keep the hub out of the way and have already greased it all up and put a dowel in both sides to keep the various washers and seals in place but it still seems pretty tight getting it back in!

Yes its tight...15 mm copper plumbing tube works well instead of dowel....cut it with a pipe cutter and you get a neat slightly rounded edge.....just the reverse of dust you did to remove it but keeping all the bits in place...Steve

Morning Chris, my repair would not have involved removing the lower arm from the car. Just remove the alloy hub assembly, move to one side is OK and then drill out the remains of the seized bolt using a small drill increased in size until the sides can be collapsed and then a suitable tap used to clean up the threads or a heli-coil fitted if the threads are damaged. Total time 1 hour, difficulty just 4 out of 10.

Chris...i see you now have your car on sale on ebay?......Steve

It was a pain but have replaced both radius arms and everything back together. Not the easiest job which was a surprise as it seemed straight forward. Yes, my car is on eBay - I have a restorer lined up if it doesn’t sell who will be sorting all of the body issues. It’s just a question of whether I can cut my losses now and look for a coupe I can use this year or a longer term restoration which I won’t get any use out of until at least next year…. Not really bothered which way I go and so far just time wasters on eBay.