Stuck lower front strut bolt

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

jonj200369

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2006
Engine
hemi 5.7
06, 1500, 4x4, 5.7

Broke the front, drivers side lower strut mount..... I have the bolt half way out and it is extremely hard to remove. I was using a ratchet with a breaker bar and i'm pretty sure if I crank on it anymore its going to break. Any ideas? images attached
 

Attachments

  • 20160314_142223_resized.jpg
    20160314_142223_resized.jpg
    99 KB · Views: 492
  • 20160314_142249_resized.jpg
    20160314_142249_resized.jpg
    91.4 KB · Views: 205

smoothee

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2012
Posts
1,321
Reaction score
684
Location
St. John's, NL
Ram Year
2011
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I'd try soaking it with PB Blaster for a bit first if you haven't already. Maybe hit it with a little heat. Have you tried tapping with a hammer to see if it moves at all. I recently had to cut both my lower strut bolts out and replace the bushing on each side, the sleeve in the bushing was seized solid to the bolt. It's a fairly common issue, apparently.
 

charonblk07

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2013
Posts
4,056
Reaction score
2,072
Location
Calgary, Ab
Ram Year
2009
Engine
F1-A forged 349ci
There is a lot of rust that builds up inside. Since the bolt's moved that much already you can hit it with a hammer and it will move through and once it's flush with the fork use an extension to knock it through all the way. The shock can also be causing the bolt to bind so you might need to lift up on the control arm but more likely it will need to be pried down with a bar to unload the fork entirely.
 

justin13703

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2014
Posts
1,174
Reaction score
394
Location
MD
Ram Year
2008
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I had this same problem with mine and had to cut them out. I guess Chrysler doesn't believe in anti seize lol
 

GoldDot

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2012
Posts
242
Reaction score
60
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Spray it with rust penetrant every day for 2 weeks. Thats if you have the time of course.
 

usaf2006

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2014
Posts
4,518
Reaction score
1,572
Location
Augusta, GA
Ram Year
2008
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Slam it outta there, and if it won't budge, cut it out. RockAuto sells a new bolt and bushing kit for a little over $20 made by Monroe. If you are able to reuse them, coat that beast in antiseize before it goes back in.
 

xb1230

Hobby Mechanic
Joined
Aug 22, 2014
Posts
960
Reaction score
226
Location
South Shore of Montreal, QC, Canada
Ram Year
2020
Engine
5.7 HEMI
I have removed bolts that were rusted in place using an open wrench big enough to slide right behind the bolt head and tapping on the wrench using the bolt's head for leverage.

In this case I am not quite sure you have enough space for that.

If the bolt and bushing are available for 20$ unless you are on a really really tight budget I would not worry, cut it out and replace it with a new one. As mentioned above be sure to butter up the new one with a generous amount of anti-seize (copper based ones are even better) when re-assembling.

Hope this helps
 

Joe.G

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2015
Posts
273
Reaction score
13
Ram Year
2004 SLT Quad Cab Short Bed
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I would try and unload the pressure off the bolt by prying it up or down, Then I would beat it with a hammer and it should pop out, I would not reuse the bolt since you say it feels like it is about to snap, there is a chance you weakened it and its just not worth it.
 

ChrisRoden

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
17
Reaction score
0
Location
Nova Scotia Canada
Ram Year
2008
Engine
5.7
They say to unload the pressure on bolt by using pry bar on lower control arm and work the bolt in and out untill gets to hard to turn spray with your penetrant over and over as it get to hard to turn and it will eventually release and pop out
 

Judy

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2019
Posts
450
Reaction score
671
Location
Midwest
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7
Hubby said to spray penetrating oil on it and screw it back and out repetitively.......

now you guys see why I like these issues.......mmmmmm!
 

bellaireroad

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2016
Posts
695
Reaction score
625
Location
Fort Worth
Ram Year
2017
Engine
Hemi 5.7
06, 1500, 4x4, 5.7

Broke the front, drivers side lower strut mount..... I have the bolt half way out and it is extremely hard to remove. I was using a ratchet with a breaker bar and i'm pretty sure if I crank on it anymore its going to break. Any ideas? images attached
Heat is your friend
 
Top