Modern Vespa

Hey guys,
I'm trying to replace the front shock on my 2007 LXV 150. I've done this before (on my previous 2006 LX 150). I recall that being a pain, but this time I'm just about ready to pull my hair out. One of the nuts at the top came off fine, but the other just keeps spinning with the bolt. It's a blind bolt. I've tried everything to grab it, but whatever tool I slide in there isn't secure enough to keep it still while I get at the nut from the bottom. I'm a bit afraid to use a dremmel to cut the nut off because the brake line is so close. Any ideas how to get the damn thing off?

I would cut a notch in the end of the bolt so I can use a screwdriver to keep it firm while using a spanner on the nut...

I'll def try that tomorrow. With the dremmel tool or with something else? Would a file work? Do you know how soft these Italian nuts are? ...she says with a straight face...

Alternatively you could tie a piece of fine wire around the shank of the bolt and hold it in place with tension on the wire.

the head of that bolt sits in a slot on the top of the fork leg. it probably just popped out. wiggle your finger up in there to the top and press it back down and then you can pull the nut off. if the top of the fork is broken or the head of the bolt is stripped, you're in for a party.

good luck!

-g

Thank you for that clarification, Greasy. I recently watched Robot's video of replacing the front shocks and he referenced that being a "captive bolt" in the LX - I wasn't sure what that meant, but he did say it was more of a pain than the design of the model he was demoing. (Didn't matter to me, I was just watching out of curiosity and won't be replacing my shock any time soon.)

If you can't get the bolt to hold still that way, the idea of Dremeling a slot in that bolt to hold it in place with a screwdriver is a good one. But I think it will be very difficult to maneuver a Dremel tool up there in a useful way. I would use an oscillating saw with a bimetal or cobalt blade.

at that point i'd rather just drop the fork and attack it on the workbench.

the idea of trying to maneuver a dremel in there? FFFFFF that, you can barely get a 12pt socket on that nut. the shock is in the way, the fender is tight. yeah, you could spend two hours faffing about on that.

if the bolt head doesn't catch into the slot, or is stripped. cut your losses and pull the fork. i know it's a giant pain in the ass, but it will be quicker, easier and less mentally draining than fiddle fucking around with that mess all up in there.

-g