Help Zed failed MOT advice needed.

[Paul M]

Hi
Need some help and advice. My 97 Zed failed MOT on corroded Push Rods Left and Right on the rear suspension. Part 4 on screenshot.
My little garage that does my work can't shift the Allen bolts. They are solid. If they could unbolt them it would not be such a problem.
Talk is about drilling them out as they can't apply heat because of the fuel tank. Where it is bolted to the sill it might need some welding as well....
Is this a realistic repair? As we are talking £600+ Or do I just sell on.
Not in a very positive mood. Any advice would be good. Zed not taxed or mot so can't be driven.
Cheers
Paulm

 

[GazHyde]

Not heard them called push rods before, but it's basically the metal plate which sits under the bottom of the beam bush, and secures to the inner sill area.

Those allen bolts are a pain in the ass if they are badly corroded, but generally we manage to get them out one way or another. Usually a good soaking with WD40 tends to loosen them up, but on one we have to cut a slot in the top of it to get extra purchase on it (that car was rusty as hell underneath).

There's another thread on here about the same issue, which I'll have a look for....

 

[Mnbrennan]

Yes they are difficult!!

 

[Ianmc]

Yes they are difficult!!

The voice of (recent) experience me thinks

 

[FRANKIE]

Hi
Need some help and advice. My 97 Zed failed MOT on corroded Push Rods Left and Right on the rear suspension. Part 4 on screenshot.
My little garage that does my work can't shift the Allen bolts. They are solid. If they could unbolt them it would not be such a problem.
Talk is about drilling them out as they can't apply heat because of the fuel tank. Where it is bolted to the sill it might need some welding as well....
Is this a realistic repair? As we are talking £600+ Or do I just sell on.
Not in a very positive mood. Any advice would be good. Zed not taxed or mot so can't be driven.
Cheers
Paulm

Saw this on You- Tube

View: https://youtu.be/iNSxtCbyb6g

 

[t-tony]

Hi Paul, these are great for removing rounded fasteners.

Tony.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Until a mate of mine came to the rescue with a set of locking-wheel-nut removing sockets I was considering welding some fairly large nuts onto the screws, probably around 12mm or so. A combination of heat and a decent socket should have done it, but never had to resort to it in the end.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Yep, that's the sort of thing that got used, but @t-tony got there first.

 

[Paul M]

Hi Paul, these are great for removing rounded fasteners.
View attachment 55591

Tony.

I was told that it's an Allen key bolt.

 

[Paul M]

Yep, that's the sort of thing that got used, but @t-tony got there first.

I was told that it's an Allen key bolt.

 

[t-tony]

Yes, that they are Paul. These tools grip onto the outside of the head.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Yes, that they are Paul. These tools grip onto the outside of the head.

Tony.

This was in a thread a few weeks ago posted by Martin @Mnbrennan . He used these to get one out but couldn't loosen the other. He managed it by removing the nut off the subframe bolt (stud) and moving the bracket itself.

Tony.

 

[Mnbrennan]

This was in a thread a few weeks ago posted by Martin @Mnbrennan . He used these to get one out but couldn't loosen the other. He managed it by removing the nut off the subframe bolt (stud) and moving the bracket itself.

Tony.

I also managed to cut a slot and used a punch and hammer to get them to turn

 

[t-tony]

Thanks Martin.

Tony.

 

[Jonno Bee]

Sorry to hear your problem Paul. Might be worth having the tank removed to give the best possible access on the heads of those bolts. It would at least give some extra space for using the Irwin extractors Tony posted.
I removed mine last week with shed loads of WD40 and an allen key socket with a universal joint to allow it to clear the tank.
Hope all goes well for you and your zed lives to fight another day.
Cheers

Jonno

 

[Paul M]

I'm still not sure what to do. Whether to just cast the car loose. Then look for a cleaner car. I don't have the means to do the job myself. So will always have to go to a garage, where the Labour cost is a burden.

 

[Jonno Bee]

Could it be worth seeing if it's possible to first shift the 'easier' bolts on the left hand sub frame bracket
Jonno

 

[DavidM]

Be decisive - go get a quote for the work then decide what to do - either way there will be costs - sell on buy another or fix current problem - it can't be that expensive to fix the current problem - that would be my choice - fix and get it through the MOT - good luck!

 

[Kevlaar]

any chance you can get an impact driver at them?

 

[Mnbrennan]

I certainly didn't think there was enough space