Front Strut Bolt Stuck

[FordFool2]

I am 3 for 4 on installing my new Monroe QuickStruts. My problem is that the left (driver side) strut bolt is stuck . I used the PB Blaster and I have gotten a few turns on it to the point that the cam style nut is loose on the back. The problem is that the bolt feels stuck in the lower strut bushing. As I turn the bolt, it just twists the rubber bushing and simply "winds up." The bolt twists but returns right back. I have hit it with 2' breaker bars with 3' cheater, along with 1/2" and 3/4" drive impact wrenchs.

Looking for suggestions on what to do next. I do not have a cutting torch. If a torch is the answer, any concerns on this location, grade/hardness of bolt and material (seems non-carbon steel).

 

[koda2000]

heat it up with a torch, then with the nut screwed on to protect the bolt's threads, hit it with a BFH. once it starts moving you'll need a a long punch or drift to push it all the way through. once out, clean the bolt and bushing hole with some fine sand paper and coat it with anti-seize before reassembly. a small hand-held torch should be sufficient and i don't think this will hurt the bolt.

 

[F500]

I'm experiencing the exact same problem... Front driver side strut

I'll go try to heat it up some more and I was thinking to drill little holes in the actual bushing to spray some penetrating oil. The other side took a few seconds!

 

[Exproblems]

Looking for suggestions on what to do next. I do not have a cutting torch. If a torch is the answer, any concerns on this location, grade/hardness of bolt and material (seems non-carbon steel).

]

I'm just offering up a suggestion here, haven't changed the struts on my Ex as of yet. If you can get a hold of a "Mapp gas" torch, that might heat the nut up enough to break free. They sell Mapp gas kits at Home Depot and probably Lowe's as well. Think they cost around $45. They heat up hotter than propane torch kits do. I used one once on a rusted up tie rod end and it worked great. Also if you have enough room, try a small cut off wheel and possibly a sawzall blade.

 

[FordFool2]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Koda, the nut is loose but will not back off. It has an arm connected with the nut that prevents it from turnning. This way it only takes one tool on the bolt head to install/remove.

F500, the passenger side zipped right out with an impact too.

Ex, I hit it with MAPP gas torch on the nut, thinking it was stuck there. We have to be careful with heat in this area. The CV boot is nearby. I read another thread that just went to town with a Sawzall. Not sure how a Sawzall stands up to a Grade 8 bolt. I am leaning that way once I get new bolt and nut in hand. Drilling the strut bushing to get the penetrating oil down in there is an option though.

 

[koda2000]

so the bolt started to turn and then jammed? if so, do you think it's stuck in the nut or in it's hole? i assume you're tried working the bolt back and forth (tight to lose) repeatedly with penetrating oil and have made no progress?

by the way, impact wrenches only really work against something that can't move around, like a lug nut or a head bolt. if you've ever used one on say an alternator pulley nut you can easily hold the pulley with your hand because your hand absorts the shock of the wrench. you might try a flex bar or ratchet on the bolt with a piece of pipe on the handle for added leverage.

 

[FordFool2]

Well the bolt may have won the first battle, but I won the war. This bolt (3/4" diameter) was frozen hard within the strut bushing. Six sawzall blades and 45 minutes later it was out. I had to cut the lower strut bushing in 2 place, one either side of the vertical member. What a pain. Make sure to use NeverSeize on this bolt if you take it out.

 

[Robert7x]

sorry to revive an old thread... any more info on how did you get the stupid bolt out? I tried everything I can think of but it's not coming out. The locking nut came out... but the bolt itself is stuck inside the shock. What exactly did you cut without damaging the bolt?

Thanks

 

[808hawn]

Had to cut mine and grind the head down to get it out. Got another bolt from the junkyard.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/133144952@N03/shares/hMfi53

 

[drdoom]

Cutting it is the only way.

 

[lincolnshibuya]

cutting, grinding and a lot of cursing...
BFH, punch, breaker bar, impact wrench, pb blaster, sawzall, grinder and torch...

 

[drdoom]

True, link... Broke my thumb with a 4# hammer trying to avoid cutting it out! Lol

 

[ROBinGa]

I had same exact issue. What you are going to find happened once you cut off the shock lower mount is that the large bolt that goes through the shock has fused itself to the metal sleeve of the shock lower mount. So the rubber bushing that surrounds the shock sleeve just springs as you try to loosen it. You will have to cut or grind that bolt off. I bought a bolt from my local Ford dealer parts desk and it wasn't cheap but you will have to cut yours to get that strut out. You will see once you do the bolt has fused solid to that shock sleeve so well there is no separating the two. Everything I've read shows its only happening to driver's side front. Has to be related to torque somehow in my opinion.

 

[ralom]

Same issue here, 2002 Explorer, front driver side strut, the big lower bolt is stuck fast to the bushing of the shock absorber. I was able to replace the passenger side front strut no problem at all but the driver side had me defeated, body is all sore from the struggle. The flagged nut comes out but the bolt never even moved out of the bushing. Finally took the vehicle to a garage where they had a lift, acetylene rig and small air driven disc cutter. Mechanic did a lengthwise cut of the tubelike part holding the rubber bushing, bent it open, removed the rubber bushing in pieces, applied heat on the bolt, did some silent cursing and finally got the bolt out. Bolt apparently had no damage and was able to reuse it with the new replacement strut. Made sure to apply plenty of anti-galling compound on that bolt.

 

[titanium1.8]

Just want to show how I cut it. Sawall blade on sleeve and disc grinder on the bolt. I wasted at
least 3 hours trying to break the bolt loose and gave in.

 

[Robert A. Grams]

Yup, wish I read this before tackling the job, I ended up sawzalling it off just like you did... Damn what a wasted day, I tried everything first.. impact, breaker bar, pb blaster, torch, bfh, air hammer .... Ugh