rear suspension upper spring seat removal

romankat · Post by **romankat** » 04 Jul 2023, 09:37

I followed one of your fantastic topics to replace my rear coil springs (viewtopic.php?t=95813). Thank you for the detailed explanations and pictures. I hit a snag removing the screw holding the upper spring seat (see picture). The screw turns but does not want to come out or back in. Any suggestion for its removal so I can replace it with a new seat and screw? Only way to cut it off?
Thank you for your suggestions!

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 04 Jul 2023, 14:50

I wonder if the other end is accessible via the back of the car so you can counter-hold it. I'm sure one of the other folks will be able to tell you what trick they used to remove it.

Frankly, it doesn't look that bad. =)

Post by **scot850** » 04 Jul 2023, 16:08

Agreed, is there a reason for trying to change the upper seat? It looks better than most I see these days, to the point it looks mint. I am not sure (I have AWD P80's), but if the bolt is held in place with a thread insert or a welded nut it may have broken off. It will most likely be inside the rear frame so not easy to access at all I would think. Unless as suggested there is access from the top, not sure how you would remove this, and then subsequently fit a new bolt and tighten it back up.

On my AWD, I had issues removing the sub-frame bolts on the rear, so I drilled through above the bolts and dripped PB Blaster down onto the threads inside the frame.

Again, not sure how to suggest to hole the thread in place while undoing this. Only thing I can think of is to try driving a wedge between the frame and the top of the spring seat and see if that can bind the thread holding the bolt enough to allow it to be undone?

Neil.