Access to diff bolts

[jps]

How has everyone approached this? If I fit the rear seat panel as per 'the book' then I won't be able to get at the heads of the bolts which hold the diff brackets in place. Is this a 'fit and forget' bit of work - or have others left cutouts in the panel to allow access?

[skov]

I cut circular holes in my seat back panel so I could get a socket over my diff mount bolts, then fitted plastic blanking plugs to fill them.

[jps]

I cut circular holes in my seat back panel so I could get a socket over my diff mount bolts, then fitted plastic blanking plugs to fill them.

That was pretty much what I had in mind. Do you know of a source of blanking plugs (I need some square ones for where I cut out the chassis rail to allow the gearbox to fit too) or did you just salvage them from somewhere random?

[skov]

Can't quite remember where I got them from, but chances are I liberated them from work :)

[jps]

Can't quite remember where I got them from, but chances are I liberated them from work :)

Funny you say that - i was looking at the chairs in one of our meeting rooms at work - thinking "I wonder if that leg is made of 25mm box? And whether anyone will notice a few missing bits of plastic trim"...!!!!!

[twinturbo]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Plastic-Blanking-End-Caps-Square-Tube-Insert-25mm-1-/271512817232?pt=UK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling_Weldin g_Metalworking_Supplies_ET&hash=item3f376cce50

TT

[baz-r]

That was pretty much what I had in mind. Do you know of a source of blanking plugs (I need some square ones for where I cut out the chassis rail to allow the gearbox to fit too) or did you just salvage them from somewhere random?

this is what i did i used 25mm blanking gromit things from my local autofactors
paid a couple of quid for a bag of 25 and used them for all sorts

[K4KEV]

On my build (sierra based) there is no need for access holes if you have mounted the diff brackets with the head of the bolt being inside of the chassis there is still enough space to get a spanner in from behind even after the seat back is fitted but it does mean the bolt has to stay there, the other good alternative would be to tack the bolts in.

[voucht]

On my build (sierra based) there is no need for access holes if you have mounted the diff brackets with the head of the bolt being inside of the chassis there is still enough space to get a spanner in from behind even after the seat back is fitted but it does mean the bolt has to stay there, the other good alternative would be to tack the bolts in.

+ 1
Same on my car (Sierra based too) :)

[alga]

I just put nuts into the tight space. Fiddly, but workable.

[Stot]

I just put nuts into the tight space. Fiddly, but workable.

Yeah, my wifes pregnant too...

Cheers
Stot

[jps]

Yeah, my wifes pregnant too...

Cheers
Stot

Just spat my coffee over my keyboard....