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ARSEBANDITS

Isn't it amazing how a simple job can turn into a nightmare?

Missuses Mondeo. Planned jobs were both TCAs and both rear antiroll bar bushes (D shaped ones).

N/S TCA went fine. Even the bolt under the gearbox had been put in from the bottom so I didn't have to lift the engine.

And then it turned to shit...

Went to do the NS a/r bush. The bracket is held in place by a solitary

13mm bolt. Despite well WD40'ing it, it decided to shear. Can't get the remnants out now and can't get access to it to grind the captive nut off. Thought better of trying the other side.

Goes to do O/S TCA to find the ball joint pinch bolt is seized and it looks like someone has had a go before. It's not shifting.

So....looks like it's off to the garage to do what should have been a quick hours worth of work.

They're gonna love me.

Reply to
Conor
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Just an aside and I'm sure this has been covered here before but is WD40 (Water Dispersant for 40 days or whatever it's supposed to mean) as good a 'penetrating fluid' as say 'PlusGas' (that is no good at dispersing water)?

I have done several jobs on bits for mates where they had 'given up' after several day work with various seized fastners and in spite of me asking them if they had used a "penetrating fluid like PlusGas" only to find when I've got there that is was something else (often WD40).

*I* soak it with PG and the next day it just unscrews .. (a bit of poetic licence and sometimes a bit of heat as well but it does generally come undone)

All the best ..

T i m

Reply to
T i m

In message , T i m writes

PlusGas is miles better than any other penetrating oil IME. Its a bit expensive and not always easy to find but its worth it.

Reply to
Paul Giverin

They are my finding as well Paul.

I'm surprised how many people don't know of PG, or do but don't realise it's still available (but as you say, not from everywhere).

I use both the 'squeeze it out yerself' tin and aerosol can versions depending on what I'm trying to get at (I choose the old way first as you can watch the PG being 'absorbed' into the joints).

If I just want to lubricate a nut off a long or dirty bolt then I'll often use what ever is to hand, typically WD40, but that's still not as good a drop of 3in1 or engine oil etc.

My mate in his garage was several hand sprays containing the liquid versions of all the handy stuff, like WD40, brake cleaner, panel wipe, PlusGas and water (all suitably marked etc).

All the best ..

T i m

Reply to
T i m

It has been covered here before, and the concensus is that WD40 is actually quite poor as a penetrating fluid; this coincides with my POV.

I agree with you 100% about the virtues of PlusGas.

Chris

Reply to
Chris Whelan

Google UK for 'PlusGas', second top in the resulting list is Amazon. It might get cheaper but I doubt it gets any easier than that.

Reply to
Zathras

It's not easier than picking some off the shelf in Halfords or yer local car spares place when you are already in there though (and what I was talking about). ;-)

Nor when on a Sunday morning you realise the tin of PlusGas you were relying on to start that rusty nut encrusted project is in fact upside down on the PlusGas soaked shed floor ... ;-(

But I get yer point (and admit I wouldn't link Amazon for PlusGas any more than I would Tescos for PC stuff . .. ).

All the best ..

T i m

Reply to
T i m

Ah, sorry Chris .. I just dip in and out of here .. (I'm too out of touch to be much help and luckily our old bangers keep rolling on)

It does seem to be 'the dogs' eh ;-)

All the best ..

T i m

Reply to
T i m

Due to Amazon marketplace sellers you can get an amazing range of stuff on there nowadays. Halfords..on the other hand, doesn't stock it..according to their website!

Reply to
Zathras

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