Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Unsticking rusted coilovers: Any tips?
  • Dec. 29, 2009 6:37 p.m. 20Ver New Reader

    My challenge car came with well rusted up H&R coilovers on them. Since I am changing the motor and will be setting the car up for track use more then stance I want to adjust the coils.

    So far I've managed to get the passenger rear to move, but I'm having a heck of the time with the rest of them.

    What I have tried so far:

    Soaked in penetrating lube, wired brushed the threads clean, pulled the rear two and chucked them up in the vise to get better leverage. Tapped on them in different places with a hammer, you know to let it know I'm coming. I've even applied a slight amount of heat hoping the AL lock rings would expand before the steel threaded body. But so far nothing of course I'm scared to put to much pressure on the lock rings as I don't want to break anymore teeth as someone has already had a go at them and chipped a few of the teeth on the lock rings.

    Next thoughts are figure out a way to submerse them in ATF overnight. Try prayer or sacrifice and if still nothing try more heat and force till I have no lock ring teeth left. Once that happens run the car at the height it is sitting at.

    Any other tips or tricks people can think of?

  • wbjones

    Dec. 29, 2009 6:54 p.m. wbjones HalfDork

    John Brown came up with this... it might help..this and other helpful hints can be

    found at: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/tech-tips/

    http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/tech-tips/55/

    understeer: when you hit the wall with the front end,,, oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back end.... horsepower: how hard you hit that wall.... torque: how far you drag that wall

  • Tommy Suddard

    Dec. 29, 2009 7:19 p.m. Tommy Suddard SonDork

    Jump It!

    'cause we're aliens, and thats how we roll.

  • Dec. 29, 2009 7:34 p.m. 20Ver New Reader

    http://homepages.gac.edu/~rheidcam/GrassrootsCar/38.jpg

    http://homepages.gac.edu/~rheidcam/GrassrootsCar/39.jpg

    YEAH! The ATF Acetone mix is what I was thinking about.

  • Dec. 30, 2009 8:19 p.m. redzcstandardhatch New Reader

    i had a totally frozen set of coils a while back (used on our challenge car this year, "chop top", gutty's roofless counterpart)

    got them off something that passed through the garage and got "real" suspension. i played with all sorts of different stuff, didnt get them loose. tossed them in the parts washer and forgot about them.

    2 months later, i found them. pulled them out, and they came loose by hand. totally rad.

  • 81gtv6

    Dec. 31, 2009 10:31 a.m. 81gtv6 Reader

    I have used this method a couple of times and it works great, as long as you have a container big enough:

    Electrolytic derusting

    All you need is a battery charger, a big plastic container, something iron water and I used 20 Mule team Borax.

  • DeadSkunk

    Dec. 31, 2009 10:36 a.m. DeadSkunk Reader

    Immersion in vinegar will remove rust from steel. It's been many years since my last chemistry class, so I don't know what it would do to the aluminum rings. It's definitely not advised for rubber seals and anything soft. You might try standing them up in a container that only covers them up to the adjustment rings.

    '99 Miata,'03 CooperS,'91 GTI 16V, '96 Astro

  • John Brown

    Dec. 31, 2009 11:05 a.m. John Brown SuperDork

    Tommy Suddard wrote: Jump It!

    The record is only 310 feet. I bet it could be beat!

    Internationally known as The Brown Stig

  • Jan. 13, 2010 12:12 p.m. 20Ver New Reader

    Rears freed up. Lots of soaking and finally some mild heat, the big vise and a 24" pipe wrench. The lock rings don't look new anymore, but they can still be used with the spanner wrenches.

    Now I need to work on the fronts!

  • RossD

    Jan. 13, 2010 1:46 p.m. RossD Dork

    Freeze them?

    Calling all cars!

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