The bottom bolts on the rear shock absorbers aren’t tightening up, as I had to use an impact gun to remove them. Can I use a helicoil kit or a timesert to restore the threads?

I’ve bought some Chinese arms just in case, but a little dubious as to putting them on, and genuine replacements are going on 2k. Tried eBay, but no luck.

Hi Gary, I wouldn’t risk helicoils on a suspension component, unless it’s not load bearing or under stress.

Have you tried quarry motors in Sheffield?

Can you show us which bolts you are having issues with please.

Morning Gary

The chemical reaction between the alloy of the swing arm and the Steel bolt does stick them in there 🤣 I have changed a few over the years E53 X5 and 5 Series plus X5 and X6 all use the same basic design the M12 bolt that holds the Integral arm to the Hub Carrier can go as well. BMW Dealers undo the Shock top mount and swing arm mounting bolts then change the whole Suspension arm cost no object as your paying and they will have quoted for that probably around £1000 + per side 🤣 I don't use an Impact gun I have a Torque multiplying tool (16 to 1) ratio gentler to use tighten loosen action and still give loads of feel. I still have stripped a few though

As Stu says a Helicoil in a suspension part is a bit of an unknown? Personally I have brought a second user swing arms from Ebay and clean them up ( part number from ISTA or Realoem) normally around £80 to £100 check the threads carefully and re-bush them (I have a hydraulic bearing press OEM Bushes need compressing prior to pressing in). You can use OEM bushes or Poly Bushes. I am assuming you already have new Spherical bushes as part of your rebuild kit.

Good luck

Dave

Here is the hole in the arm. Completely stripped on both. I’ve swapped the arms, and a pita wasn’t the word! Had to cut both eccentric bolts off with an angle grinder, and used a chisel to loosen the last bits remaining. The install wasn’t easy either. Tip: do the outer ones first, then the eccentric bolts then the long bolt last. Took a while to get the bolts in, as it twists around, but done now. The grinder kicked back on me, and cut a brake hose, so new ones arriving in the morning. To be fair, they were looking a little old, so won’t do any harm to replace and bleed them.

Hi Gary

They can be a beeech can't they😁 first time I did the job it took all day now it take me around 2 hrs a side to take off refurb and replace. Did you mark the position of the Eccentric washers before removal as that helps when putting them back and will get you very close to original setting before alignment.

I use a DeWalt reciprocating saw to cut all the the bolts connecting the swing arm and Upper and Lower arms, due to the salt on our roads in winter most are so rusted that even if they eventually undo they need replacing anyway (never like re-using rusted nuts and bolts)

Great job keep us up to speed

Dave

To be honest, I didn’t mark the position on the eccentric bolts, but the place I normally take the car to for tracking will no doubt thank me for replacing them. They’ve had to heat the bolts in the past till they were orange to adjust them, so will be easy this time round. I’ve put the new ones in about the same position, so at least there is a starting point for them.

The other bolts weren’t too bad to remove.

It will drive like a new car when your finished 😁