Radius arm removal

[1970EuropaGuy]

I'm attempting to remove my rear radius arms and would expect that the 2 bolts holding the mount to the frame should come out but the 2 I've tried so far just spin when loosened. I would have expected a captive nut on the back.

Any advice? Thanks

[BDA]

There are no captive nuts there. You have to grab the nuts from whatever access you have.

[1970EuropaGuy]

Sounds like fun. I'll have a beer first!

 

[BDA]

Good plan!

My frame is different from yours so I couldn't be any more specific than that. Sorry!

[1970EuropaGuy]

Thanks BDA,

I'm just trying to paint the part. Maybe I'll mask it for now, should work fine. After crawling from underneath my car a few minutes ago I decided removing it was looking like a 4 beer job and then I wouldn't care.

I may try again once I have my Europa on a lift.

[EuropaTC]

If it's just the radius arm itself, then you can get access to the "inside" nut with a socket + extension bar (about 3" ?) to clear the bottom fold of the chassis.  For the other end you can either secure it with a ring spanner jammed against the body, or if that keeps coming loose, some mole (vise) grips will stop it moving.

If it's the actual rubber mount you're trying for, then the same process but it's easier with the radius arm out of the way, either completely removed or just tied up out of the way. Then you can tack weld nuts on the backing plate once you've got it in pieces so it's easier next time.  (it's a Lotus, there will be a next time.....    )

Brian

[buzzer]

Also looks like the bolt is fitted from the outside. So I doubt if you can remove it without clearance though the body so you might have to drill a couple of holes to do this. But try and see how it goes. .
Also note that your bush is on the inside of the chassis. So I guess this is from a later special. The manual covers this.

[EuropaTC]

Mine's like that as well Buzzer, and I can confirm that if it's a standard bolt then it'll come out. The GRP opposite the bolt head is "flexible"   

What surprised me about that photo was the lack of shims/washers. I've got a stack on mine to get the rear tracking.

Brian

[buzzer]

Brian, yes it does look like it’s set up with a lot of toe in. Are there different versions of radius arms that or the chassis slightly different on later specials? If I set mine up like that i would probably have 3 degrees of toe in.

[1970EuropaGuy]

This is all interesting I'll get a few more photos later today when I head out.

This is my 1970 Type 65 S2 although I have wondered whether it may have been autocrossed at some point. The car also has adjustable lower links.