Stupid question re rear spring

[BobbyG]

Guys - On my coupe - the area inside the trunk on the floor directly above the rear crossmember that the rear spring sits in - I have a metal panel that is fixed flush with the trunk floor.

Now - Todays job is re fitting the rear end & spring BUT I also want to fit new U bolts

Am I right in thinking that the panel directly above them that appears to be 'stuck' in place with seam sealer HAS to be removed in order to get the old U bolts out and new ones in ?

Bob

[RonC]

What's wrong with the old U-Bolts? Are they damaged?

[BobbyG]

Looks like thread is damaged - nut flew off at me

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by BobbyG

Looks like thread is damaged - nut flew off at me

The center bolt may be rusted in two, and that would leave a lot of pressure on the 2 u-bolts. I assume you were in the process of removing the rear end?

If possible I would reuse the u-bolts and nuts. The last few threads on the u-bolts could be cleaned up with a threading file.

[Rowdy]

Proceed with caution if the nut flew off at you. Like Tom said it is likely the center bolt is broken. Take a couple of large C-clamps and try to clamp as much of the rear springs back together. Then see if you can take a punch and drive out what is left of the bolt. If you get it all out try to put a piece of allthread through the springs and a nut on ontop to help hold it all together. Rear springs are dangerous to work on. Rod

[ctlikon0712]

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Enough can't be said on proceeding with caution...... Do as Tom and Rowdy suggest.

[BobbyG]

Thanks guys.