Cross member bolts

I'm at the stage of re-installing the front suspension cross member to the body.

Is is possible to place the forward bolt in place without having to pull the suspension apart and removing the spring? I played with it for an hour and almost got the bolt and plate and pad to go together, but it is really tight with the spring in place...

Any tricks, or do I remove the spring?

Thanks.

I couldn't do it with my big hands. If you have some thin wire you can try making a pull through like I received with a trailer hitch. The wire was stiff and the end was formed to screw in the bolt threads. Feed the wire through the bolt holes and thread the wire on the bolt threads and pull the bolts into the holes. It may be worth trying.

Clifton

It wasn't easy, and especially frustrating when I'd nearly get there then drop the bolt, but it is possible. I just fiddled and fiddled with it, using the fingers of two hands and eventually got them in place.

Not easy, but very doable.

Jim D

they are not bolts.

they are tapered pins with threads at each end for nuts.

Moss catalog, #264-910 Bolt, cross member.
VB catalog #12-4002 Bolt-Crossmember.
MGB shop manual, Bolt-cross-member to body.

Wonder why they made the same error we made? The bolts I have seen are not tapered, they have a machined shoulder/step to change diameter.

Clifton

Thanks guys....

I managed to get the bolts/pins in place finally, and I now have a front end on my car!