spinning bolt - help

[MiataMark]

Fitting coil-overs to my MX-5, the bolt holding in the bottom of the shock absorber is just spinning . It goes into a threaded part of the lower wishbone that I can't access except with a finger. I can feel the bolt turning but it's not coming out.

Any suggestions of how to remove it? Hopefully I can get out of this without having to get a new wishbone

[outrage]

Known issue. Been there, t-shirt, you know.

From the underside, you can see the captive nut which became un-captive through a small slot. I welded the nut to the wishbone. Super-heroes do that with the wishbone in situ. MX5nutz recommend holding the captive nut with a spanner (17iirc), which leaves you with the problem getting the nut back in place for reassembly.

[MiataMark]

Thanks, don't suppose you have a picture from underneath do you?

Don't have access to a welder unfortunately and really don't want to drop the wishbone.

[outrage]

afraid no, I'm very bad at taking pictures when I'm working. But I foung this image, maybe it gives you an idea:

[jonxs]

You can get a slim spanner in the small opening on the base of the arm. Or a big screwdriver to wedge it over so you can crack the nut.
That's how i managed it on my MX.

[xbl]

As above, get something, anything in there to lock the captive nut, when it's out you can fit a normal nut with a spanner through the the hole.

[MiataMark]

Thanks for all the help, it'll be a few days before I get a chance to look at it again, will update with progress.

Really really don't want to take the wishbone off, so I'll try and get the car higher so I can get a good look at try and jam something in there.