Bump stops spin- cannot remove

[Clifford]

Bought upgraded bump stops (Perry Parts) but 2 of the front bump stops just spin and cannot be removed properly. (one front and one rear)

I could get a thin blade and use a reciprocating saw to cut them off.

I MAY be able to install/use rivet nuts (amazing, just heard about these from another thread) without dropping the lower control arms but I am dubious the existing holes will be large enough for a rivet nut and there is not enough space to drill the holes out larger without dropping the arms. I've never done that before but I bought 2 CV boot kits (and rear shocks/springs woot!) so will have to drop the arms pretty soon anyway.

What is the spec on the bump stop bolt size/thread? Need this info to source correct rivet nuts.

Any experiences or tips appreciated. (ps I feel a nice difference w the new Perry Parts bump stops and they were more affordable than all the others I researched)

 

[phattyduck]

Most likely here is that the welded nut inside the arm that has come loose.

If that nut is gone, you *may* be able to use a nut-sert - but you won't know if that's possible until you can measure the hole. They require a specific size to work correctly. Also, it will leave a lip around the hole that may not work for the bump stop (that is expecting a flat surface to land on).

The best path here is probably to drill a hole in the bottom of the arm so you can grab the nut with some needle nose pliers and then see what you need to do from there. You will probably need to unbolt all the other components attached to the arm and loosen the pivots to get access for the work you need to do...

-Charlie

 

[Clifford]

Thx Charlie. I don't want to drill a new hole in my LCA -that- big. Good point on the rivet nut possibly having a bit of a lip but the bump stop threaded sleeve would slide back into the bump stop slightly under compression and the bump stop would easily deform over the small lip and compress against the LCA surface.

I got an interesting (but flawed) idea about this though:
Drill a -small- hole in LCA below. Affix a wire to/through the bump stop bolt- pass it through the upper hole then small lower hole and secure.
Options are- drill hole in bolt to pass wire through then coat in JB Weld to further secure and protect from water/rust. Then maybe use a stainless washer and make a knot to secure. Downside/fatal flaw is the inevitable rock or impact on that LCA bottom face which could easily remove the washer/wire.