...Don't pass up the opportunity to Improve from a 12mm to a Larger 1/2" Bolt. Drilling? Ever hear of a 'Hand' Reamer. See Pic. These are Tapered to .500", the Shorter Ones are 6 Inches Long.
All Reamers with the 'Square' End Shank are Hand Reamers, the Square will fit into a 'Tap' Wrench. When I used them in the tight quarters of the Pantera, the Square Drive can be Driven with a 12 Point Socket on a Rachet, or a 12 Point Box-End Wrench. It does NOT take a Lot of effort, Nor Time, to cut through the Soft Steel of the Shock Mounts. I had a choice of 1/2 Inch Bolts, Stainless or Grade #8. I went with the Grade #8, Gold Anodized with Standard Fine Threads. I used Ny-Lock Nuts and also used Thick Stainless Washers Under ALL Bolt Heads and Nuts, to Protect the Sheetmetal Mounts from Galling, they are irreplaceable!!
Yes! Having access to a Lathe will finish the Job with Custom Machined Spacers.
Width? Temporarily Install Shock End In Mount with Cross-Bolt, Slide ALL the way to ONE Side, take the Measurement and Divide by Two, You have the Needed Width of the Spacers for THAT Mounting Point. The Others May be Slightly Different.
You'll be Glad You did the Improvement. This work was done on My Pantera, No reason this can't be done on a Mangusta.
One last thing...while you have the A arms off, drill and tap them 1/4"-28, in the Center of the Bushing Mounts*, and Install Zerk Fittings. AND when Installing the Bolts, Grease them Up well, before sliding them in place for the last time. Why? A Lot of reasons, keeps water OUT! Stops Squeaks and Affords a Smooth Action of the Arms. Also, Greatly Aids in Disassembly, Next Time. Tighten the Bolts as tight as needed, But still allows smooth and 'Easy' rotation of the A Arm, BEFORE the Springs are Installed Or Ball Joints are Connected.
...*That would put the Zerk Fitting in an Unaccusable SPOT?? Get the Zerks that are at 90 Degrees!
Good Luck with It!
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