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I'm trying to get the subframe off so I can remove my sump but am stuck on trying to remove the large bolt which secures the Hydro steering box to the subframe. It appears to be rust free and the nut came off easily. It is very stiff to turn - almost like it's in rubber. It has come through a little by turning it but its almost like its under huge pressure. Any idea why this bolt is so difficult to get out - any tips? I have WD40'd it...

Just under the head is a section which is a larger diameter than the bolt itself which had rusted itself to the housing.

I had a problem a long time ago removing the bolt and this was the cause. With a big enough bar on your socket it should move!

PS WD40 is NOT a penetrating oil. You need something like "Plusgas".

'Water Displacement No.40' The product began from a search for rust
Preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD40 was
Created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical
Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water
Displacement compound. They were successful with the fortieth
Formulation, thus WD40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect
Their atlas missile parts.

Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD40
That would hurt you. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that
Spotty shower screen. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as on
Glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your cooker top .... Kazamm! It's
Now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.
Here are some other uses:

1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar 20 strings.
4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps flies off cows.
6. Restores and cleans blackboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zips.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower screens free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD40 for
Those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the
Finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just
Remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Dead insects will eat away the finish on your car if not removed
Quickly! Use WD40!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a 20 shine for a super fast
Slide.
21. WD40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and
Wipe with a clean rag.
22. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and
Dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick
Spots with WD40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to
Open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well
As vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for
Easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running
Smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes splattered grease on stove.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36.. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve
Arthritis pain.
37. WD40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you
Will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than
The chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose.
Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for
Fishing are not allowed in some counties .
38. Use it for gnat bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops
The itch.


And for some reason............spray it on your arthritic knee joints etc
And it will ease them.


P. S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL.

P.P.S. It is NOT a penetrating oil.
Last edited by ron on Sat May 21, 2011 5:11 pm, edited 2 times in total.
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'88 High line.
'85 M #228
'85 M #207
'80 735i

Thanks Ron, you do know alot! I see now on the diagram that the bolt has wider sections - I guess once I work it through a bit further it will release...

Managed to remove the bolt by apply constant pressure with a pry bar whilst undoing it. Knowing the reason for the tightness was a real help - there wasn't much corrosion stopping it from coming out easily - also no cracks in the steering box mount...but may be worth modifying anyhow.

If you have WD40 only it is always worth trying it as a penetrant because it might work even if it is not as good as many other things.

re Ron's list of WD40 things; WD40 contains a mixture of petroleum distillates, being mainly solvent and some oil. Suggesting that it is OK to put it into a watercourse to 'attract fish' is akin to chucking waste oil in there, i.e. not at all a good idea, more of an environmental disaster area than anything else. Please stop reproducing this internet nonsense; this list has become so pervasive that WD40 have had to add a refuttal of it to their own website, stating very clearly that their product does not contain 'fish oil' .

BTW when revamping the subframe it is an excellent idea to modify (reinforce) the vertical mount for the steering box; it is a very common failure location; if it hasn't broken yet it will do. If you let a tube through both walls of the hollow section and weld it to both walls and to the flat part of the bracket, a long bolt can be passed through the whole lot and it will not break again.

cheers

Excellent pictures. Got to do this job myself. So a good bit of advice. Thanks.

Brucey wrote: ↑Tue Apr 17, 2018 11:02 pm If you let a tube through both walls of the hollow section and weld it to both walls and to the flat part of the bracket, a long bolt can be passed through the whole lot and it will not break again.

cheers

This is what I do for my DIY Subframe fix. 1 inch pipe with 1/4 inch wall provides a 1/2 inch center. Bolt needs to be 6 inches long and has to fit through the Steering Box mounting arm. Old bolt is 10 mm shank so 3/8 for US measurement.

Ralph