F430: Problem when removing front coilover (pic included) | FerrariChat
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F430: Problem when removing front coilover (pic included)

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Norrlanningen, Sep 12, 2012.

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  1. Norrlanningen

    Norrlanningen Rookie

    Apr 7, 2012
    15
    #1 Norrlanningen, Sep 12, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hi!

    Im a bit stuck here I guess?
    Im trying to remove the front coilover on the driver side on my F430.
    I have un bolted the sway bar as you can see on the picture, but I cant remove the "bolt" that keeps the bottom of the coil over in place (the bolt Im reffereing to is the bolt that the swaybar sits attached to).

    I have removed the nut from the other side of the bolt and tried to screw the bolt out, but it doesent seem to me like the "bolt" is threaded?
    I have also re-screwed the nut in a couple of threads on the opposite side and tried knocking on the nut but it doesent move one millimeter?

    What is the key to my problem?

    I have attaced a pic of the "bolt" that Im trying to remove.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. ants2au

    ants2au Formula Junior

    Nov 19, 2003
    815
    Sydney Australia
    Full Name:
    Anthony
    #2 ants2au, Sep 12, 2012
    Maybe the coilover is still loaded, and you have to take up the strain before you can remove the bolt.

    picture the coilover flying into your face as you hammer away the bolt, that is under load.

    Might a small jack to support the bottom of the coilover before you can remove the long bolt
    Just a thought.



     
  3. DanS*

    DanS* Karting

    May 29, 2012
    218
    Manhattan Beach, CA
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    Dan
    #3 DanS*, Sep 12, 2012
    You just got good advice. Be careful using force in a part under load. See if there's a way to remove the load on the shock spring (with a jack?) to the point of just sliding the bolt out.
     
  4. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,742
    #4 Mitch Alsup, Sep 12, 2012
    You still have 400 pounds of preload on the bolt.
     
  5. Norrlanningen

    Norrlanningen Rookie

    Apr 7, 2012
    15
    #5 Norrlanningen, Sep 12, 2012
    Hi and thanks for the reply!

    I forgot to tell you that I have un-bolted the coilover from the chassie in its top mount, where the to screws fits it to the chassie. So I can not have any tension on the bolt. The coilover is free to move if I just could get that bolt out.

    I used a jack to unload the wishbone when I unbolted the sway bar.
     
  6. ants2au

    ants2au Formula Junior

    Nov 19, 2003
    815
    Sydney Australia
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    Anthony
    #6 ants2au, Sep 13, 2012
    Ahhhh :)

    Maybe it needs to be pressed out. As in the bolt doesnt come out, but only the coilover, and it needs to slip out of the bolt.


     
  7. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie
    Professional Ferrari Technician

    Jan 28, 2007
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    Eddie B
    #7 rustybits, Sep 13, 2012
    Bolt is siezed into the lower shock bush. Common problem. Soak it in penetrating oil and then you need to use an airgun on it to break it free.
     
  8. Paul V

    Paul V Formula Junior

    Jan 25, 2005
    324
    Shropshire (UK)
    Full Name:
    Paul
    #8 Paul V, Sep 13, 2012
    Having just done both my shock mounts and ball joints i had the same issue.
    I found the shoulder of the bolt was seized in the alloy arm and not the bush.

    I put some gentle heat on the arm with a heat gun, then on the other end of the bolt i wound the nut on flush with the end of the bolt and give it a sharp tap, i only needed to move it 5 mm or so.

    Hope this helps
     
  9. Living4life

    Living4life Formula Junior

    Jun 29, 2008
    263
    #9 Living4life, Sep 13, 2012
    Maybe the above is needed BUT...If I recall, that bolt you show in the picture has a piece that thread into both sides of it that you have to remove and then it slides out as a large unique bolt. I think I remember loosening the sway bar one side at a time while the shock was bolted in at the top and then once the sway bar was out of the way I removed the upper shock bolt.

    Note: You will have a lot of compression on the stock front spring as it is long and compressed to fit onto the body of the F430 shock even if its lowered all the way to the bottom. Remove the shock, go find someone with a wall mount spring compressor (only way) and let them grab it from the upper part of the spring carefully and from the lower part of the spring carefully to compress the spring ONLY. At this poiint the top of the shock mount can be slid off the actual shock itself.

    The above instructions are if your changing the springs. If your only lowering them then just compress with the upper part of the shock mount and the lower part of the spring and then you can adjust the height collars.
     
  10. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie
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    #10 rustybits, Sep 14, 2012
    He has already disconnected the sway bar. You can see that from the photograph. He has already removed the nut too. If the bolt turns but won't come out it is siezed into the lower shock bush, and the inner of the bush is turning. There is also a dome-headed spacer between the lower wishbone and the shock which sieze onto the bolt but not to the wishbone. He needs to soak it and run it out with an airgun or heat it with a hot airgun to release it. It is a very very common problem and occurs on both the 430 and 360.
     

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