wintersun Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 Hey all, just a quick question, Im replacing my rear drop links as they have now given up. They look like the originals and im stuck on the last bolt, it wont budge, even with the breaker bar out. So im going to take the angle grinder to the bolt to get the link off. question is, is it safe to use an angel grinder as the drop link I want to remove is right next to the fuel filler neck area. is there any precautions I should take, or is it safe to just go ahead a cut the bolt off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briano Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 Just cover everything in damp towels and be carefull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintersun Posted September 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 cheers will do, shouldn't take long to cut through the drop link bolt. 30 seconds tops. I cant think of any other way to get it off, maybe a hack saw? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulgtt Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 I hacksawed mine off....took a while though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintersun Posted September 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 safe I guess spend a few quid on a new sharp hack saw, like I say, its the last one that wont budge I could cut half way through and then snap it off with some mole grips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus3476 Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 If you make sure the sparks aren't being directed at the tank/filler, it should be ok - only if there isn't the faintest smell of fuel though, Celica's do leak quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintersun Posted September 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 not sure if I want to take that risk tbh, I couldn't smell fuel as I was under it for hours today, but the filler neck is looking a bit rusty, so who knows!! think I would rather spend 15 mins with a saw than risk blowing the car up haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antilochi Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 I used a dremel to get mine off, made it easier to get to with less sparks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Chris_ Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 Check for fuel leak / smell of petrol first and ensure filler cap is on. Also be careful the grinder doesn't slip and slice into the tank / filler neck. If it does go up, at least you won't know much about it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintersun Posted September 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 haha cheers, if I go down the grinder route, Im going to make sure I have isolated the tank and filler pipe really well in wet blankets and make sure no part other than the drop link is exposed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaungt4 Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 I used a grinder to do mine and Ben's a few weeks back just cover everything up . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintersun Posted September 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Just done it, I put a blanket all over the working area, 2 mins and it was off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus3476 Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 (edited) You have to add research and discussion time to those 2 mins - so it really took 3 days Edited September 18, 2014 by Paulus3476 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonSam50 Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 I did this and cut my cv boot [emoji23] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenjaminAnderson Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) Mate just use a hacksaw. I did mine and my mates and it took around 5 min per cut. No worries about fuel then. By the time you have set everything Up For the cut you could have done it with a saw. Edited September 19, 2014 by BenjaminAnderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavegod Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 I used 9" grinder was off in 5seconds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlasumm Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 Grinder is easy enough to use just angle the sparks away from the fuel lines 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Chris_ Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 I used 9" grinder was off in 5seconds! See kids, size does matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex282 Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 I had to use a grinder for my front drop links because the nut just kept turning, it was awkward getting it in and made quite a lot of sparks. I'd say try a hacksaw first for the rears It might be ok with the grinder but I wouldn't recommend it unless you are taking a lot of precautions, angling the sparks away from the tank and using wet blankets to cover it just incase, like people said if you can smell fuel that means it's in the air and even more flammable than in liquid form Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Boy 1 Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Angle grinder is the way to go, just take care & use common sense. plus safety goggles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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