Unsticking rusted coilovers: Any tips?: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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

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

Freeze them?