Koni install, Bolts stuck in Bilsteins

[motohomer]

Finaly got a nice enough day to put my new Koni's on. Backs went fine, but have a problem with the fronts.
The lower mounting bolt is siezed into the Bilsteins. Locked up tight. Tried penetrating oil & pounding it, but it aint budging.
Anybody have any suggestions for freeing them? Or know where I could purchase some replacements?
Its an 07 W22.
Thanks.

[FrankO]

Did the same to mine 2 years ago. It was tough but I got it using a breaker bar. Keep at it and it should come loose. I actually had more difficulty with the rear top bolts due to the clearance I had.
Good Luck -- Frank O.

[motohomer]

I got all the nuts off without too much trouble (2' bar). The shocks are out. The top bolts slid right out. But the bottom bolts are siezed into the bushing on the shock itself.

["007"]

If that doesn't work find a pipe that will fit over breaker bar handle for more leverage.

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by motohomer Finaly got a nice enough day to put my new Koni's on. Backs went fine, but have a problem with the fronts. The lower mounting bolt is siezed into the Bilsteins. Locked up tight. Tried penetrating oil & pounding it, but it aint budging. Anybody have any suggestions for freeing them? Or know where I could purchase some replacements? Its an 07 W22. Thanks.

i suggest you use use more ucky puck and an air impact wrench. grease the bolts before reinstalling them.
napa has a good supply of bolts.

[oemtech]

I just went thru this on a customer coach. I had to use the cutting torch to get them off. A saws all or a air powered cut off tool works also.

I have some spare bushings I can send you... Go get some grade 8 bolts, nuts, washers and a tube of never seize.

[motohomer]

Went & got some new bolts, nuts, washers, anti-seize, & loctite.
Hopefully they go on quick, rains coming...

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by motohomer Went & got some new bolts, nuts, washers, anti-seize, & loctite.

motorhomes, Can someone please share with us the exact dimensions and thread pitch of the replacement bolts and assorted hardware.

[motohomer]

Heres what I pulled off (W22 front):
Top: 3/4" x 5-1/2" fine pitch (16)
Bottom 3/4" x 8" fine pitch (16)

I couldnt exactly match what what was installed; went to Sears hardware, Ace, True value, napa, lowes, home depot, nothing big enough and grade 8. Was finally able to come close enough at tractor supply:
Top: 3/4" x 6" fine pitch (16)
Bottom: 3/4" x 8" COURSE pitch (10)
both grade 8 (thanks for the grade info Oemy - although if i settled for grade 5, I would have been done at sears.)

The extra 1/2" on top wasnt a problem.
The course threads on the bottom do concern me a bit. I'll be keeping an eye on them & will probably pickup a set of fine pitch. I used a lock washer & loctite to be on the safe side.

With the new bolts it only took about 10 minutes per shock to get them in and torqued (80 ftlb). Most of that time was spent "contourting".

As soon as is stops raining, I'll let you know how the ride is.

Disclaimer - The stock bolts may actually be metric. Trust me at your own risk.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by motohomer I used a lock washer & loctite to be on the safe side..

motorhomer, That's great! Thanks for the dimensions. Maybe it's just me but I might have sought 3/4" out coarse thread Nylocks if I could get them. At that size they must be about 3 to 4 bucks a piece.

[motohomer]

Driver,
Congradulations on 10,000 posts!

[motohomer]

Finally got it on the road. What a difference.

The ride itself didnt change much, bumps are a bit softer but not significantly.

What did change though was roll. No more tippiness. Used to get a lot of lean in turns and then a big dose of over-recovery. No more. Even sharp turns at intersections and driveways are stable. I was not expecting that.

Whats even more amazing is rut tracking. Its gone! I was planning on getting a steer-safe or STP but now I dont have to. I can now plant a wheel in a rut and let go of the wheel. Its like they arent even there. Amazing.

Best investment I've made in a while. Thanks to everybody on IRV2 for recommending them.