Rear anti-roll bar removal

[andyps]

Has anyone got suggestions for removing the bolt on the lower end of the link rod on the rear anti roll bar? Tried doing mine tonight and the whole bolt is turning rather than the nut coming off. The problem is that it isn't a proper bolt head, just a slight dome with flat spots that do fit a 17mm spanner - but they are 2mm wide, if that so there is no way of getting a good hold on it to release the nut. Any ideas welcome!!

The bushes have gone in the link rods so I need to replace them, hence the attempt to get them off!

[lancialulu]

You could try inductive heating of the nut till cherry red as that frees the rust. I would not use a gas torch near the fuel tank…. I have had to cut them of before now. I think the “bolt” is available but not sure.

[fay66]

You could try inductive heating of the nut till cherry red as that frees the rust. I would not use a gas torch near the fuel tank…. I have had to cut them of before now. I think the “bolt” is available but not sure.

If we're talking about the panhard rod Omicron supplied me bushs and bolts
But I can't help if it's the anti roll bar, as series 1 Berlina doesn't have one!
Brian
8227

[andyps]

You could try inductive heating of the nut till cherry red as that frees the rust. I would not use a gas torch near the fuel tank…. I have had to cut them of before now. I think the “bolt” is available but not sure.

Thanks Tim. I don't have anything for inductive heating and don't fancy using a welder or anything that close to the tank. I'll give it one more try with spanners tonight after another soaking in penetrating fuel but in case I have to get the hacksaw out have ordered new bolts from Omicron as they do stock them.

[andyps]

If we're talking about the panhard rod Omicron supplied me bushs and bolts
But I can't help if it's the anti roll bar, as series 1 Berlina doesn't have one!
Brian
8227

It is the anti-roll bar but Omicron do stock them so I've ordered some today.

[Spider2]

Is there enough space to cut a slot in the dome head with a dremel and then hold it with a wide blade socket?

[lancialulu]

Not sure the Omicron bolts are as hi tensile as the originals....

[andyps]

Not sure the Omicron bolts are as hi tensile as the originals....

They've gone in now and the car is back together without rattles so for the moment I'm happy. I'm pretty sure the one I took out (with help from a Dremel!) were probably original so I'm not too worried about the replacements - it's not as if the bar will go anywhere if worst case a bolt snapped.