Re: [DML] Rear pivot bolts

["Walter Coe" <Whalt@xxxx>]

> I was crawling around under my car yesterday and noticed tham my rear
> pivot bolts have a gap betwen where the shock absorber mounts, and
> the nut that holds them in place. Is it okay to just tighten this up?

This might not really be a gap. There is a metal sleeve that can extend
beyond both sides of the rubber bushing which can give the appearance of a
sloppy gap where there isn't one. Don't tighten this nut beyond the torque
specified in the workshop manual.

> Its very dirty there
> also, should I clean it off first? What should I clean it with?

Don't bother cleaning it unless you are obsessive/compulsive. A good amount
of dirt there shows that you actually use the car. If this isn't possible,
then put your car up on a lift and have your kids lob mud globs under it.
;-)

> Also, my overflow bottle sometiimes ejects coolant. And some of it
> got on the frame under the bottle. I wiped it up, but there is likely
> a residue.

It is normal for this to happen if the header bottle is too full. To keep
the occasional few drips under control, some people mount bottles to run the
overflow hose into. Racing catalogues sell a variety of fancy expensive
bottles just for this purpose.

> What is the best way to completely clean this so that the
> frame and frame coating are not damaged by the antifreeze, or the
> cleaning?

The situation where antifreeze damages a surface is when you have regular
leaks that keep an area wet. And this mostly involves aluminum alloy
surfaces or places where the antifreeze collects, dries and forms deposits.
If you are worried about the occasional splatter causing damage, then
install an overflow bottle. The best way to clean it (if you bother at all)
is to rinse with water.

Walt Tampa, FL