How2 - A few hints and tips for stubborn bolts etc!

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carlos_canter
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How2 - A few hints and tips for stubborn bolts etc!

Post by carlos_canter »

One of the best tips I can offer is give your self plenty of room.

My car just fits in my garage, so when the time came to change wishbones, I would of struggled with space.
I left the door half open, secured with a ratchet strap and had this:

Image

Lots of space to slide around freely! Try and make sure the work area is clean, may seem obvious, but Ive seen people rolling about in filth to do an oil change.

BALL JOINT SPLITTER

If, like me, you have the "tighten up" style ball joint splitter, but cant get it in, remove the split pin, the pivot pin and use the fork as you normally would, works quite well.

Image

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EXTRA TORQUE

So that nut or bolt is giving you grief and the ratchet is too short, but a strong arm bar is too long?

Use a decent sized spanner, a 19mm should go over your average ratchet handle and provide you with nearly double the torque.
From this:
Image
To this:
Image

2 spanners can be linked similar to this, one ring end to one open end and achieve the same results.
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Cavalier342
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Re: FEW HINTS AND TIPS

Post by Cavalier342 »

I get the idea, I think it's good. Just to cover the basics, as you say, for everyone in general.
Andrei.

P.S. the spanner locking thing is great, I've used it to remove the alternator belt on my C18NZ. Tensioner was well too tight to move with a single spanner so I locked another one onto it. Hardly put any effort in it then.
This has my backing :thumb
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carlos_canter
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Re: FEW HINTS AND TIPS

Post by carlos_canter »

Hopefully if people are struggling with something, they may be able to save a bit of time, money and effort by looking up a few tried and tested methods.

It may be better in its own section, Im not too sure though, will wait for more feedback.

Glad you like the idea Andrei.
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Envoy CDX
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Re: FEW HINTS AND TIPS

Post by Envoy CDX »

Certainly merits a thread for hints and tips, but where to put it is a good question..
Thanks for taking the time to post it up :)
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Cavalier342
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Re: FEW HINTS AND TIPS

Post by Cavalier342 »

How about making it a sticky in the Maintaining Your Cavalier thread? It covers all the maintenance threads, so I can't see a better place to put it.
Andrei.
Previous:
China Blue 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier L 18SV
Kings Blue 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi Auto C18NZ
Smoke Grey 1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 C25XE

Am I a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well that depends on how much I've had to drink...
Hayward691
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Re: FEW HINTS AND TIPS

Post by Hayward691 »

Cavalier342 wrote: P.S. the spanner locking thing is great, I've used it to remove the alternator belt on my C18NZ. Tensioner was well too tight to move with a single spanner so I locked another one onto it. Hardly put any effort in it then.
Use your foot to push aswell.... Your legs have a tremendous amount more power than your arms!!!
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