I wish to replace the two rear dampers on my 1989 1.3 Felicia but im unable to remove the lower bolt as it is seized in the lower bonded rubber bush when I try to unscrew the bolt the rubber bush revolves in the damper eye, any one got any ideas on how to get it out.

Please bare in mind im 72 and working on my back on the ground car jacked up.

 Thanks.

The easiest way would be to get a new nut and bolt then cut the ends off the old one and either try and drift it out or (more likely) prize it out with a lever or by wiggling the damper. It'll still be tough in those conditions but I think it'll be your best bet.

 

You could try soaking it for a long time in penetrating oil and then give the nut end of the bolt a few whacks (with the nut right at the end of the thread so you don't mushroom it too much). I would still recommend new nuts and bolts if this works.

 

I did my dampers at the start  of the year and the bolts were (surprisingly) like new inside the bushes. And the nuts needed no persuasion to loosen. I was amazed.

Thank you 

 

The easiest way would be to get a new nut and bolt then cut the ends off the old one and either try and drift it out or (more likely) prize it out with a lever or by wiggling the damper. It'll still be tough in those conditions but I think it'll be your best bet.

 

You could try soaking it for a long time in penetrating oil and then give the nut end of the bolt a few whacks (with the nut right at the end of the thread so you don't mushroom it too much). I would still recommend new nuts and bolts if this works.

 

I did my dampers at the start  of the year and the bolts were (surprisingly) like new inside the bushes. And the nuts needed no persuasion to loosen. I was amazed.

Thank you for your input I do have new high tenstile bolts and nuts and was going to change them I will give it another try if I have no luck it will be left to a garage.

mike, good luck, as I'm a couple of years younger. If penetrating stuff don't work, will heat a bit of heat ?

If you have access to heat, that might be a good help too. I was trying to think of tips on the basis you might not have access to it. But if you do then all the better.

Good luck with it!

I wish to replace the two rear dampers on my 1989 1.3 Felicia

'99 maybe?

Mike, although I admire your will, there comes a time when you need to get help from a garage. An impact gun will make all the difference. A seized bolt will give up only by using heavy shocks or a blowtorch. None are DIY jobs.

'99 maybe?

Mike, although I admire your will, there comes a time when you need to get help from a garage. An impact gun will make all the difference. A seized bolt will give up only by using heavy shocks or a blowtorch. None are DIY jobs.

How right you are my mind is willing but my body say NO and the wife do's, so it is to the garage for my lovely old Felly.

Purchased her new in 1998 and at the time I was working (now retired) and they all said what do you want a bloody Skoda for well most have changed there cars several times and my Felicia still looks just great. At the end of the day my car do's the same as a Rolls Royce gets me from A to B any way here in the UK we have free bus passes for over 60's and if I want to go fast I get on the train.

I like to be diffrent it's not every day you see a Skoda Felicia here in the UK.

Thanks for the input guys.

There's nothing wrong with the good reliable felicia I have had a few now and done even have brake down cover as the fings never brake down and when I killed my last felicia due to car pulling out on me it still limped it's 2 miles home. I now own 3 a fun a 1.9 and a 1.4 16v great cars hope you can get problem sorted and keep another one on the road

I admire you mike, i like to see people working on these cars especially at your age. The felicia is a very good and reliable car. With good care especially to rust prevention and maintenance its the best and the most beautiful thing about them is that everyone can work on them because of their simple engine design and also lots of space in engine bay !

That is exactly why we have a special pinned topic.
 
FELICIA/FAVORIT APPRECIATION THREAD

That is exactly why we have a special pinned topic.

 

FELICIA/FAVORIT APPRECIATION THREAD

I will try and get some pics up on my Felly I just purchased my first mobile and need to sort out how it all works but my granddaughter tells me it has a good camera.

All new rear dampers fitted now, next problem is locating a radiator fan switch I have put up a new posting.

there are two types of radiator fan switches. one opens at low temperature and another one opens at a higher temperature

you can find new ones on ebay or on some website online easily. mine is like the one in the picture 68/82 degrees celcius

 

 

make sure you replace the gasket also and dont crazy tighten it.