Help breaking down my front end. Please!

[dibbleg]

hello..im having trouble seperating my wishbones and axle. these damn perches have a nut that wore away and i can't get to them. i tried cutting off the stud thinking it would just bang out, but there's still a little bit of that nut holding things together. on the other side there's more of the nut, but still no go. i'm not sure what i should do without destroying anything.. and i'd rather use what i got. please help!!

 

[EnglishBob]

You'll need a torch or plasma cutter to get rid off the last bits of the nut and then it's back to heat and wd40 and a BFH

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

I know you want to use what you have, but that axle and wishbone look REALLY rusty - not in a good way. I would be questioning structural integrity on that stuff. Might be best to find better steel to start with...

 

[dibbleg]

yeah i think you might be right devil. i'd hate to have the axle and wishbone be the weakest link in my front suspension. thanks for an actual answer instead of just telling me to get a new one. -cheers

 

[Unkl Ian]

The nut is counter sunk, like a wheel nut.
Same deal on the bolt head on top.

Some people drill them, others use heat and force. No easy answer.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

yeah i think you might be right devil. i'd hate to have the axle and wishbone be the weakest link in my front suspension. thanks for an actual answer instead of just telling me to get a new one. -cheers

No problem man. Front suspension components are kinda critical ya know? Seems like you had a feeling about that already. I am all for using old stuff, but those pits are really deep and starting to get the best of that old steel. Get those perch bolts out though. Heat is definitely your friend, but with as much oxidation as you have there it may be futile. If anything it's good practice right? It will make a good wallhanger at least!

 

[BCOWANWHEELS]

Those old axles are made of some good steel and guys drill em full of hole and they still work so unless your gonna build some big engine h-speed thing that axle will still work. You could drill out the last of the nut also. Hammer and chisel too. But heat is the only way of getting it out of the axle. Wear safety equip when doing this too. There buggers to get out and some just wont without hurting the axle.