Stuck with Ford lock washers

[Deleted member 30736]

Every once in a while, I run into something new on a vehicle. I was prepared to mount my Eibach lowering springs and started with the rear. Step 1 is to remove the two bolts from the shock cradle. It's a 15mm bolt with an 18mm nut.

The problem is that the nuts won't come off and I don't want to round them off. I've Googled a bit and can't find anything about these (what I think are) locking washers. Is there a proper way to remove them? All I can come up with is to put a socket on it and give it a couple of whacks to try to bend the stars. A pic is below.

I can't believe I'm on a forum asking this.... However, I'd rather ask and look stupid than screw up parts.

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[CurtisB]

Others have done what you are attempting. No one else mentioned this problematic issue. I feel you pain!! Nothing worse than setting aside time to do something this major and finding out that you can't remove certain nuts.

Someone will chime in! The dudes from Utah, Kansas and California who have done this will give you advice!!

 

[Deleted member 30736]

Every video I've watched fails to mention this. On posted instructions for other kits, the pics are taken from the opposite side of the nut. The Eibach kit didn't come with instructions and the ones posted on their site are very generic.

 

[CurtisB]

Every video I've watched fails to mention this. On posted instructions for other kits, the pics are taken from the opposite side of the nut. The Eibach kit didn't come with instructions and the ones posted on their site are very generic.

Every time I do something to my vehicles, I always run into something that no else seemed to run into. Glad you have joined my club!! Someone will have this answer. I don't understand why they didn't think it was necessary.

For me, it was wiring up my aftermarket amp to the stock head unit of the Maverick. I didn't know there was an after market wire harness you could buy until after I came in here and complained about how it took me two hours to make my own wire harness!! Oh well.

 

[Lane]

Step 1 is to remove the two bolts from the shock cradle.

This is a wild guess - try removing the bolt, not the nut. On a prior car, I've seen suspension nuts welded in place and you have to undo the bolt.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

is it possible the nuts stay in place? at 9:50 in this video, he's only removing the bolt, no wrench evident on the other side.

 

[Deleted member 30736]

Anything's possible. I've tried removing the bolt instead of the nut. It's the same either way-my Spidey-sense goes off with the "you're fixin' to round the head" warning.

I've seen videos with guys removing the two lower bolts and leaving the upper shock mount bolts in place and also guys who do both.

 

[Deleted member 30736]

Got it using brute force one the bolt side.

 

[Deleted member 30736]

Here are pics of the nuts for future reference. The first one is on the outside bolt. They are set so that they bind against the lower arm when removing the bolts. The problem that you run into if trying to remove the nuts is that the socket won't go on far enough to avoid rounding the nut.

 

[CurtisB]

Here are pics of the nuts for future reference. The first one is on the outside bolt. They are set so that they bind against the lower arm when removing the bolts. The problem that you run into if trying to remove the nuts is that the socket won't go on far enough to avoid rounding the nut.

So that we all can "learn" from you, basically, you had to unscrew the bolt, not the nut due to the nut not rotating while turning the bolt?

 

[Deleted member 30736]

So that we all can "learn" from you, basically, you had to unscrew the bold, not the nut due to the nut not rotating while turning the bolt?

Yes. Note that I have a 2023 EB AWD FX4. The hybrid has a different setup with only one bolt. If you turn the bolt, the cams on the nuts will turn until they bind against the lower arm and then the bolt will unscrew and can be removed (place a support beneath the arm for this).

 

[CurtisB]

Yes. Note that I have a 2023 EB AWD FX4. The hybrid has a different setup with only one bolt. If you turn the bolt, the cams on the nuts will turn until they bind against the lower arm and then the bolt will unscrew and can be removed (place a support beneath the arm for this).

Perfect. Looking forward to seeing your finished results. I will now leave you alone so you can get it done! LoL!

 

[Deleted member 30736]

If I were a conspiracy theorist, I'd speculate that this is a way for Ford to invent and sell $150 nuts. Another thing I learned today is that I need a set of metric impact sockets. I blame the French for that.

 

[fossil]

Here are pics of the nuts for future reference. The first one is on the outside bolt.

you'll never be able to remove a projection welded nut without destroying it.

https://www.thefabricator.com/thefa...rojection-welding-for-nut-and-bolt-attachment

 

[Deleted member 30736]

you'll never be able to remove a projection welded nut without destroying it.

https://www.thefabricator.com/thefa...rojection-welding-for-nut-and-bolt-attachment

Well, I just did it 4 times without destroying anything but a bit of pride. The nuts weren't welded in place. They seem to simply have a metal cam plate that allows the bolts to be removed without a wrench on the nut. The nuts are fastened to the cam plate, but nothing is welded to the vehicle-the entire mechanism will fall off when loosened.

A guy in one installation video referred to them as "catch nuts". I've never heard the term before in 50 years of wrenching on old cars and bikes.

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