Stuck bolt

[IJW84]

Anybody know any tricks to get the lower strut bolt out. This is a 2008 1500

 

[DILLIGAF]

BFH

 

[IJW84]

BFH

Tried that, but maybe I didn’t hit it hard enough. Although I did hit it pretty hard several times. I’ll go try tomorrow if no better way turns up here. But I suppose thats all there is to do is bang the **** out of it

 

[smoothee]

Probably have to cut it out and replace the bolt and bushing. Pretty common in the rust belt especially, unfortunately. That's what I had to do after heating it/soaking it/and beating the **** out of it. The sleeve in the bushing was pretty much welded to the bolt. Coated new bolts in anti seize and haven't had a problem since

 

[Elvira]

You can try soaking well in a rust penetrating fluid. If you have an air chisel, that may be the ticket for breaking it loose. The bushing being part of the control arm.Hitting it with a hammer, the rubber bushing is absorbing most of the shock. You may have to cut the bolt, then tackle the job of removing the left over piece in the bushing and driving it out. If you use torches to cut the bolt, keep the bushing cold so you don't burn up the rubber. It will come out with lots of patience.

 

[Dinky]

Hit it with a bigger hammer..... if they doesn't work have someone turn the bolt while you hit it. If all else make it liquid lol.

 

[turkeybird56]

The minute I read the post, thought BFH. U guys do this more, just a thought: Is the Strut still attached at the top putting a force down on the bolt? If so, could U soak the bolt good with wateva oil, put a jack under the strut edges (under the bolt) to take some of the weight off the bolt then whack a mole on it? Just thinking out loud.

CAVEAT: Looking at the bushing, is it threaded? Is so, whack a mole just gonna bust everything outta there and need to be replaced, IMHO. If threaded, oil it up, let soak in, then put a breaker bar on it and heat it up with propane torch and turn??? That would be my approach if threaded, instead of whack a mole but U know sometimes, replacing a few bushings be easier, just spend $$$.

 

[chopperman1]

You may need a strut compressor to relieve the pressure. Won't take much but you'll be able to move the bolt freely after pressure is release. That looks nice and clean.

 

[retired]

what I do is take two nuts and thread them on and lock them against each other and use your impact wrench from the threaded side where you can push hard will turn it out.

 

[DILLIGAF]

If all else make it liquid lol.

Thats where my 1/2 Milwaukee impact comes in

Ive never had issues getting that bolt out with it...Or any bolts for that matter. lol...

I am a Milwaukee ***** tho !

 

[Dinky]

Thats where my 1/2 Milwaukee impact comes in

Yeah its a beast For sure. Cute collection but you will need a few more tools to beat my collection lol.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Yeah its a beast For sure. Cute collection but you will need a few more tools to beat my collection lol.

The rest is in here.

 

[shrubs]

I have had similar issues as mentioned. Chopperman and retired have techniques that appeal to me.

I see no paint. Try to let a small amount of brake or hydraulic fluid creep in to the bolt surface as you go.

Malletizing may work but…….

 

[Dinky]

The rest is in here.

I was just talking milwaukee tools lol. Never put them out for a photo op they are normally on a work truck.

 

[DILLIGAF]

You mean like Chop Saw, Framing framers , work lights ect.... I got all those to. I work construction

 

[IJW84]

Probably have to cut it out and replace the bolt and bushing. Pretty common in the rust belt especially, unfortunately. That's what I had to do after heating it/soaking it/and beating the **** out of it. The sleeve in the bushing was pretty much welded to the bolt. Coated new bolts in anti seize and haven't had a problem since

Where did u get bushings , Did u have to use some kind of press to get new bushings in? Nothing at the dealership

 

[smoothee]

Where did u get bushings , Did u have to use some kind of press to get new bushings in? Nothing at the dealership

The dealership will tell you that you need to replace the whole control arm. I picked them up at Napa I think, but any local parts store should have them. And I used a ball joint press, something along these lines

Amazon.ca

But you can rent them too for next to nothing

 

[metalchewy]

I have the same issue. Rubber spinning on the lower strut bolt when taking it out. Rented a ball joint press when i picked up the bushing.kits. After I melt the rubber so the bolt will come out going to remove the old one and press in a new one.

Glad this idea was on here. Was planning to take the air Chisel to the remove the old one and use the bolt to self press in the new one. Thanks

 

[metalchewy]

That wa so much fun.... ....knuckle breaking fun.

Bolt seized in the inner sleeve. Cut an ear off the strut and the bolt head off the other side

Once it was out, dremel and a pointed hardened grinding bit got the outer sleeve so I could drive it out.

Ball joint press almost fit, but it is in now...

Even though I bought another side, when I do that side, I will not be replacing it unless it is shot...