Diff Bolts

[chief]

any ideas guys

i need to fasten the 2 top bolts that hold the diff

i got the 2 bottom ones done with a bit of elbow grease no prob

the top 2 are killing my head, theres no room for the torque wrench & socket, a ring spanner has not enough strength even with a hammer for encouragement

i am too mechanicaly challenged to drop the sub frame

thanks

[maxfield]

dont suppose you got a really long bar to put on the spanner is that possible the longer the bar the less force you have to put on it. You tryed some wd40?

[chief]

wow maxfield a quick reply

i soaked the whole area in wd40
the long bar has not enough room, its too thick for between the springs and all that
i'm currently on 2 options , grinding the 19mm socket to 24mm in length from 37mm
or drill a hole in the floor and get at it that way but it looks like the partition for the boot and rear seat are in the way.

[eko]

Cant you use a ring spanner on the end of a ring spannetr to get more leveredge?

[maxfield]

Still should be able to get something that will lengthen the bar im sure there are alot of people that have ahd the same problem

[chief]

reckon you write maxfield, i'm sure i'm not the 1st or last with this one, think i need to sit back and think a little

eko - how does a ring spanner on the end of another ring spanner work, seems like you're more practical than me

[GDBN]

Try to tighten it just a bit first to break the rust/crap.
Then undo it

G

[maxfield]

The ring spanner will go on the handle of what your using socket or spanner if you get what i mean make sure your using decent tools aswell

[SHAZ325iSPORT]

i done NIX ones with a normal spanner,wasnt no greif,and were done proper tight.

[eko]

Sorry mate,meant ring spanner on the end of an open ended one!

[DRIFTBOY]

I used a piece of straight exhaust pipe about 3 foot long over a ring spanner to undo mine! Once it moved a few degrees it was easy.
Or you could just get brutal with a club hammer!

[Brianmoooore]

Try to tighten it just a bit first to break the rust/crap.
Then undo it

G

OP says he doing them up not undoing them.
Ring spanner plus a little help from a large hammer is all I've ever used.

[chief]

guys what can i say. thanks a lot for all your help.

i just found this tool on the laser tools website, i'm no mechanic but it looks like the daddy of all 19mm ring spanners

heres the picture

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/r ... panner.jpg

this is the laser tool web address

http://www.lasertools.co.uk/item.aspx?item=767&cat=133

what do you's think

[DRIFTBOY]

Nice tool!!!

[A1BMW325iSport]

i've used spanner and bar before, works well, but some can be a right bugger with bolts seized completely.

keep trying they will free up

[stevetigger]

spanner and scaff bar here too!

[Dan318-is]

i can get a 1/2 drive socket in there when i tightened mine up the other day!

[stevetigger]

[Chris-W]

If you've got the front two all the way in and the other two are proving difficult to tighten, slacken the front two off a bit first, then try.

[Brianmoooore]

Jack under the diff can help a bit too.

[chief]

yes brian thats a good one, it pushed it all in to place now i just need to get these bolts tight, wd em all up and monday morning its 3 weetabix for breakfast and take no s*!t of a 19mm bolt.

[Martinaston]

Use a bar verticaly and lever it against the sub frame it normaly chipps the underseal but gives you that extra bit of turn. as for the tourqe setting, that you have to do by feel

[Nelly]

I know you've done it now but, for future reference, get the rear of the car in the air on axle stands - jack under the diff to ease presure on the bolts - remove rear wheels - remove the bottom shock bolts - remove the rear springs and hey presto - loads of access to the diff top bolts whilst sitting on your back side.

Much easier than struggling laying under the car.

Neil.

[Nelly]

as for the tourqe setting, that you have to do by feel

Or do it my way, keep turning until you fart - built in tourqe wrench LOL.

Neil.

[Quaser]

Or do it my way, keep turning until you fart - built in tourqe wrench LOL.

LOL

[chief]

so thats what torque wrench settings mean !!!!!!!!!!!!