StratfordShark

Making progress on motor mounts job. This morning lifted engine at front and removed the two transverse cross-member bolts.

Both sides needing tapping out with hammer and punch once the nuts were off. I suppose I will have to use same to get the bolts in place on re-install. What concerns me is that on the RHS the aircon compressor gets in the way of being able to take a swing directly at bolt with hammer, let alone fit punch in there.

What alternatives are there for persuading that bolt to go back in when the time comes? I'm experimenting now and I can't push it back in even though no other crossmember bolts are off. Would lubrication in that crossmember hole help? The bolts came out looking remarkably good after 23 years - pretty shiny.

Thanks

Adrian

Bilal928S4

You have to make sure the cross member is lined up. I know other people have had a hard time getting these back in, but the 2 projects I have done they slid right in. I did put anti seize on the bolts and used a floor jack under the cross member to line up the bolt holes.
Hope that helps.

GlenL

Which bolts are these? The cross-member has two on each end.

In any case, clean the threads. This shouldn't be so hard. It's one thing to have them come out hard but on re-installation with lots of force you're likely to cross-thread the bolts, have them jam or strip, and really be in trouble.

StratfordShark

Thanks that's a good idea on jacking x- member into place. What worries me is that I've only just taken bolts out and x-member is as well lined up as it will ever be as no other bolts removed. Even so I can't insert RHS bolt and there's not much room to "persuade" it!

I will use anti-seize on re-install

StratfordShark

These are the bolts with head at front of car that point horizontally to rear going through x-member. There's a 19mm nut on rear side of x-member that they thread into.

I don't think the hole through x-member is threaded so the bolt should slide through when everything aligned. I will clean up threads and get new nuts for reinstall

Wisconsin Joe

Ahh. The "Evil" upper bolt. Once the others are out, there will be a bit of "wiggle room" in the crossmember. There will be a place where the go in without a struggle. Put them in first.

I had to use a hammer to "persuade" them to come out, but it really wasn't an issue getting them back in.

StratfordShark

Thanks so much - that's very reassuring!

Getting close to dropping x-member now. Just couple of bolts to go....

the flyin' scotsman

how far did you lift the engine?

If the old mounts are real bad the engine is perhaps very low.......sitting on the xmember.

StratfordShark

I used engine lift bar from above, attached to ignition wire crossover shackle

Bilal928S4

What Malcolm is saying, if the total weight of the engine has not been removed from the cross member you will have difficulty in installing or removing bolts.

StratfordShark

Ah that's brilliant - I'll lift the engine a little more when I get to reinstall. Thanks

Mrmerlin

when you get the cross member bolted on .
Then you will fit the side bolts,
use a long pry bar and place it on the cast section of the exhaust manifold,
then gently pry the link downwards,
then the bolt should easily slide into place.

Before inserting the bolt use a light to see that holes are lined up with the prybar being used

StratfordShark

Thanks Stan - I will take a look tomorrow and make sure I understand how to apply your instructions.

Great tip on the alignment light!

Adrian