LCA pivots - how the heck to tighten them ?

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Mon May 27, 13 9:11 pm

OK chaps - here's one for you.
Because NOTHING is ever simple, and a 5 minute bolt up job must, by law, take several days, maybe some travelling to get new parts, discussion on an internet forum, possibly some machining etc - (as you can tell it has not been a fruitful evening).... how the HECK can I tighten this ?

Basic description - LCA pivot shaft, brand new, hotchkis (should be good). Bush sleeve pressed, nylon bush in place, pivot in bush, seated into k-frame. Begin to tighten the nut (purple bit on diagram). Get to the point where the nut is almost completely on and it suddenly goes REALLY tight (like its nylon, or tapered) but rather than just 'powering through' as you normally would, the shaft begins spinning in the bush (as it would. Its a greased shaft).

So there is no way to stop the shaft rotating in the bush to get the nut tight. I am at a loss without surgery. So far my options seem to be -
a) shave a bit off the 'neck' of the pivot (the bit between the LCA and the k-frame) such that I can hold it with a spanner (doesn't feel like a good idea)
b) Try and get a non-tapered nut that will actually just tighten as normal.
c) Fit the shaft first with a socking great set of grips and try to fit the nylon-bush in situ (yuk)

All I am looking for really is -
"Am I being really thick here ? "

Enjoy the artwork. It will hopefully explain...

ANTON · Post by **ANTON** » Mon May 27, 13 9:59 pm

Option 1
Use a standard nut and spin that on first with and impact wrench to seat the shaft in the k frame then removed that nut and put the locking nut on.
Option 2
Use a ratchet strap to attach the Lca to the k frame forcing the pin in and then if the nut.

Adrian Worman · Post by **Adrian Worman** » Mon May 27, 13 10:40 pm

I had the same on my Chally mate, I just installed the lca with the torsion bar, loaded the pivot pin by the torsion bar adjusters and it stopped turning, easy

If its that tight anyway I would investigate why, check the pin and the nut and run a tap thru the threads so I'm certain it'll seat properly afterwards.
Torque it to specs afterwards, about 85ft/lbs or something.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue May 28, 13 8:50 am

You are supposed to torque it up with the car sitting on it's wheels at the correct height anyway.

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Tue May 28, 13 9:19 am

Thanks all, as ever. All good suggestions. Not trying to torque it up - trying to get it 'finger tight' like the manual says (torqueing afterward) ready to assemble the rest.

Had a good nights sleep on it, and reckon I do need to get it roughly seated, so Antons 'normal bolt to pull it through' is probably a good starting point. That or put a punch into the torsion bar mount and use 'the persuader' to tap the pivot into place...
Will let you know how I get on. Needs to be seated better, otherwise the torsion bar wont be able to go far enough in.

Thanks chaps.