wheel arch removal
hiya
I am stripping down the truck to deal with all the rust....
and I cant get the rubber wheel arches off... they seem to have put the nuts into a small valley in the wing, and there is no way to get either a spanner or a socket onto the nuts?? $@$%@£$%@£
The only way I can think of getting them off is to grind the heads off all the bolts! which will be a very painful process..
does anyone know a simple method of removing the wheel arches without lots of swearing and a grinder?
thanks
Jed
Hi Jed
you got it in one ...the bolts corrode and WD40 does not help......running a hacksaw blade between the arch and the panel does not work either..so grinding off the heads is better than the nuts...using the edge of a small disc across the face of the bolt works.. a grinding stone in a hand drill does as well...MB crafted arches have a metal insert moulded into the material .they can be rusted to the bolt making it difficult to remove the bolt shank without a drift..
Just done this in the last week on a 1992 G. Use a junior hacksaw to make a slot in the head of the bolt. Enlarge with hacksaw blade in pad handle if necessary. Undo with screwdriver bit in an appropriate small socket set. The one in the middle top is a particular problem but I was able to get it with a 7mm socket ground down at the end so that every fraction of a millimeter of grip was gained on the head of the bolt. Until I had done this the socket just skidded round the head. The two on either side of the middle one at the top had to be cut. I've changed all the brackets and screws in order to avoid it becoming impossible to remove these in years to come. Halfords do a box of 120 assorted hex head self drilling screws some of which are 8mm in two lengths which are very good for putting it all together again and the 8mm heads with integrated washers look to be a much better bet for when it comes to dismantling in the future.
Hi Consur
The arches on the 460 series have different (very basic) fixings... cast an eye over your 280GE
I had assumed it was a 463.
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hi guys.
thanks for all the input.
it is a 460, so two answers seem sensible, which are to grind down a socket to fit the valley in the panel (but since the bolts have been there for 24 years I suspect grinding the bolt heads will be the only way.
I will take photos and post is all as I go.
next problem will be the front prop shaft, which makes awful vibrations when in 4wd.
thanks again everyone.. I will keep you all updated.
Jed