wrightcomputing

iTrader: (5)

I am trying to reconnect the rear lateral control link to the hub after removing the hub to replace the bearing and I cannot find which Alan key/wrench I need to use.
I have tried 5.5mm (too small) and the 6mm (too big) as far as I am aware you cannot buy .25mm sizes. I also tried the SAE sizes 1/4" and 3/16" and they did not fit correctly either.



The manual shown above only tells the torque settings not which tool to use.

This is really annoying as my car is on jack stands because I cannot tighten these bolts and nuts. Now they are off I cannot even drive to a garage to get them to do it.

Does anyone know what size the Alan key/wrench is that I need to use?????

Thanks in advance for any help.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

short answer: use an air or electric impact gun to remove the nut, no other tool is required this way

elysium19

iTrader: (1)

Team is right, but obviously some of us dont have that. I did it by hand many times.

I'm almost positive it's the 6mm (larger one). It will be an appropriately tight fit. You really need to make sure it's clean and free of dirt. If you use one thats too small it will strip and you will be screwed for sure. (trust me, been there, done that) You just need to use an open socket to hold the other side in place...

Frankly, it's a pain in the *** to get in there with two hands worth of tools, especailly if you need to get the right angles to get a lot of leverage. I found a nice sway bar setup and then swore to never touch em again haha

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

you can rent a 120V impact gun from almost any rental place for cheap, not too expensive to buy one even if you plan to do your own auto work

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

and getting the nut off is easy compared to breaking the tie end loose from the joint once it's off

wrightcomputing

iTrader: (5)

It is a 6mm Alan socket.
I already got it off reasonably easily the issue was when I was trying to get it back on, I had used a hammer to help move it out and slightly damaged the top.
I eventually hammered a ball type 6mm Alan key socket into the hole and from there I managed to get it tightened up.

Thanks for the help!

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

next time unthread the nut to the top of the stud (but not off the threads), then take a 1/2" extension with a socket that is the proper nut size, put this on the nut, and then hammer the extension/socket assembly against the nut to drive the stud out

wrightcomputing

iTrader: (5)

Oh great tip thanks. I will definitely be doing that next time.

FastFreddy61

mmm, if you used a 6mm Allen key/ socket head wrench to undo it , wouldnt it be obvious that the size is "6mm" ?

wrightcomputing

iTrader: (5)

LOL, yeah it would. The alan key holds the thread in place. To remove it I just used a 19mm socked to take the nut off. The alan key is to hold the thread in place whilst you tighten the nut. The thread is connected to the ball and socket joint, so the thread spins when you are tying tighten the nut.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

Manually you would use an allen wrench to hold the stud and a spanner wrench to tighten the nut rather than a socket/ratchet, once you get it fairly tight you can then usually torque it down with the socket/ratchet