BMW i8 rear shock/spring removal

kiwi_chris · 11-20-2017, 05:25 PM

Hi all - a little urgent help please if possible?

Trying to install H&R lowering springs into the rear of my i8 (fronts done) and we're stuck, unable to remove the three screw bolts from the top hat (item 2 in the image). They're very small and super tight, and we're on the verge of snapping them, and can't use any heat etc as they go into carbon fiber.

Has anybody done this before? Could you please help? Perhaps you can put me in touch with your workshop who did it? Car is stuck on the hoist in the workshop now, so it's pretty urgent I sort this out asap, otherwise the fronts will have to be put back to stock, I'll have to pay for a lot of unnecessary labour time, and I'll also likely cry myself to sleep.

Thanks!
Chris.

skinrock · 11-20-2017, 09:27 PM

I want to say those just had loctite and were just super difficult to remove...once you crack the glue apart it's easy.

kiwi_chris · 11-21-2017, 02:51 AM

Hmm, crazy! Loctite? What the heck? Okay, thanks mate!

jcpca356 · 11-21-2017, 09:15 AM

you're a brave soul

SteveB_UK · 11-21-2017, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwi_chris

Hmm, crazy! Loctite? What the heck? Okay, thanks mate!

What's so crazy about Loctite? It's commonly used to prevent bolts/nuts coming loose on all brands of cars.

kiwi_chris · 11-21-2017, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveB_UK

What's so crazy about Loctite? It's commonly used to prevent bolts/nuts coming loose on all brands of cars.

Well it's the first time my workshop has seen it used in the suspension, and they've done hundreds of high end vehicles. Also the first time they've seen aluminum one-time-use bolts used too.

kiwi_chris · 11-21-2017, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinrock

I want to say those just had loctite and were just super difficult to remove...once you crack the glue apart it's easy.

Thanks mate!

SteveB_UK · 11-22-2017, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwi_chris

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveB_UK

What's so crazy about Loctite? It's commonly used to prevent bolts/nuts coming loose on all brands of cars.

Well it's the first time my workshop has seen it used in the suspension, and they've done hundreds of high end vehicles. Also the first time they've seen aluminum one-time-use bolts used too.

My Lotus uses it in suspension components. Not unusual at all.

orion1977 · 11-24-2017, 09:07 AM

Dude, what are you doing to your car?! Isn’t the i8 low enough?

skinrock · 11-24-2017, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orion1977

Dude, what are you doing to your car?! Isn’t the i8 low enough?

Nope.

11-20-2017, 05:25 PM	#1
kiwi_chris New Member 4 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW i8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Auckland, New Zealand iTrader: (0)	BMW i8 rear shock/spring removal - URGENT Hi all - a little urgent help please if possible? Trying to install H&R lowering springs into the rear of my i8 (fronts done) and we're stuck, unable to remove the three screw bolts from the top hat (item 2 in the image). They're very small and super tight, and we're on the verge of snapping them, and can't use any heat etc as they go into carbon fiber. Has anybody done this before? Could you please help? Perhaps you can put me in touch with your workshop who did it? Car is stuck on the hoist in the workshop now, so it's pretty urgent I sort this out asap, otherwise the fronts will have to be put back to stock, I'll have to pay for a lot of unnecessary labour time, and I'll also likely cry myself to sleep. Thanks! Chris. Attached Images
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11-20-2017, 09:27 PM	#2
skinrock Agent Smith 270 Rep 3,345 Posts Drives: 2016 i8 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: The Matrix iTrader: (9) Garage List 2016 BMW i8 [10.00]	I want to say those just had loctite and were just super difficult to remove...once you crack the glue apart it's easy. __________________ The i8 needs a V8 amirite?
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11-21-2017, 02:51 AM	#3
kiwi_chris New Member 4 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW i8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Auckland, New Zealand iTrader: (0)	Hmm, crazy! Loctite? What the heck? Okay, thanks mate!
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11-21-2017, 09:15 AM	#4
jcpca356 Lieutenant 164 Rep 465 Posts Drives: i8 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	you're a brave soul __________________ 2015 BMW i8, 2018 Triumph Bobber Black, 2005 Lotus Elise Widebody, 2019 Rav4 Hybrid, 2019 Tundra TRD, 2019 Trek Powerfly 5 (love it!)
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11-24-2017, 09:07 AM	#9
orion1977 Private First Class 58 Rep 126 Posts Drives: '14 i8 & '14 328i Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: ocala iTrader: (0)	Dude, what are you doing to your car?! Isn’t the i8 low enough?
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