Problems installing body lift

[Buckshot]

Ok - I didn't post this in 911 since I really have a few days to get it done (but I need it by the weekend....)

I'm in the middle of the 3" body lift - and I've done all the prep phases, e-brake cable, fan shroud, liquid wrench on all the body bolts, and I got stuck.

I can't get the #@$@# bolt off the steering extension. And before you ask the basics, here are the answers:

Yes, I've soaked it in liquid wrench.
Yes, I've tried using a cheater bar.
Yes, I've tried using a socket attachment on my drill (now I have to buy a new drill since the motor smoked and died while trying this).
And the final one (which I suspect is my next step): No, I don't have air tools yet.

If I'm having this much trouble with the steering extension, I can't WAIT for the body mount bolts.

 

[section525]

Do you have anything you can heat it up with?

 

[Blee1099]

yup just what section said, also make sure you grind down the bur on the steering arm before putting the extension on, it will cause you problems if you don't.

 

[Premier]

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/fir03870471.html

 

[Buckshot]

yes, but I was a little leery of trying that in such a TIGHT spot with so much that could go wrong. But hey - three identical responses within two minutes of one another...must be the right thing...

 

[strocket]

yeah i used air tools on mine. if you cant get to an impact wrench the next thing would be to heat it.

 

[jgilbs]

heat the area AROUND the bolt (the hole will expand outward so there is less pressure on ther bolt) but DO NOT heat the bolt. then stick a socket on there, and use an extension. use about 4-5 feet of 1/2 in conduit over the handle of your socket wrench and apply slow, even pressure. either your conduit will bend or your bolt will start turning.

 

[Arnie897]

If all else fails go get a grinder and grind the head off the bolt. Grinders are cheap and I'm sure this wouldn't be the only time you'd find yourself using it.

 

[SVO]

heat the area AROUND the bolt (the hole will expand outward so there is less pressure on ther bolt) but DO NOT heat the bolt. then stick a socket on there, and use an extension. use about 4-5 feet of 1/2 in conduit over the handle of your socket wrench and apply slow, even pressure. either your conduit will bend or your bolt will start turning.

Use the heat and everything else but the conduit extension, if it doesn't come loose with heat and a regular ratchet there is a serious problem with rust and you may not want to fool with it yourself, this is where you may want to bail on the project and let someone else have the head ache for breaking the bolt off and having to drill it out as this is not a fun place to have to hang over the truck and drill this out and then re-tap new threads.

I have never seen one that was that difficult to remove, that's just wierd, and yes I have lived up north, and seen some rusty nasty screwed up stuff in my time.





Jeff - :navajo:

 

[Creager]

If I'm having this much trouble with the steering extension, I can't WAIT for the body mount bolts.

LOL wait until the front 2 body mount bolts... All the others come out with ease... those front two are freekin on there man. i spent a good hour or 2 just getting those 2 off with a buddy of mine (on my 92' X) your best bet is probably a torch. get some WD40 on there and start cranking, you can get it. it aint gonna brake nothing, its a bolt. you can replace it for 1 bucks at Lowes.

 

[dreamr]

The bolt in the steering came out very easy for me no heat and only hand tools. those Body Mounts however They were not that bad I suppose but 2 and a half hours for 10 bolts is ridiculous. Make sure you get somevery large jawed pliers or channel locks to hold the bottom part in place if it decides to spin

Now for that steerineg I am all for you hitting that puppy with the heat for a bit and giving it a try.

 

[Buckshot]

Ok - thanks guys....

SVO - your pic made me have an idea...that I should have thought about before. Duh, turn the wheel and the bolt flips over so I can get the liquid wrench to sit on the threads instead of trying the wd40 spray method....

Poker game tonight, so maybe I'll have money to go buy airtools tomorrow! (yeah right) Will post more on the BL tomorrow night.

 

[taxx]

Ya when I took mine out the extension was stuck in so I left it. But worst case use a die grinder and or drill it out. May take some time but will work.

Give me a shout if you need any help.

 

[Buckshot]

Ok, I think I now have the record for the longest time to install a body lift. But on the bright side, I got the steering shaft bolt out and 1 body mount bolt in the rear. Still can't get any of the others out. :fire:

I broke a ratchet, and a 15mm open-ended wrench on the bolts in the front. (Good thing Sears just replaces these things for free....)

I think I also may have broken a buddy's air ratchet - I hope not! (I borrowed his compressor and air ratchet last night and it turns fine righty-tighty, but lefty loosey is a no go). Time to borrow another friends impact wrench tomorrow.....

I think this project may be done in under a week though....

Another bright side, I got my PIAA 520SMR's in for the roof rack today and my CB antenna, so I actually did acomplish something for a change.....

So, um, Taxx - what are you doing tomorrow night?

 

[Buckshot]

Oh - and instead of all the moaning in the post above, I do have a real question - I have one bolt that is spinning, but is also turning the mount and bushing with it - any thoughts on that one?

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

Oh - and instead of all the moaning in the post above, I do have a real question - I have one bolt that is spinning, but is also turning the mount and bushing with it - any thoughts on that one?

YUP, here ya go sber, don't ever say i never did nothing for ya

 

[dreamr]

YUP, here ya go sber, don't ever say i never did nothing for ya

Yep that's what we did

Had to use channellocks on the hard to reach ones though.

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH/ROFLMAO, that just made my druken night ^^^^ Thank/you dreamr

 

[TheRookie]

I think his idea is channel locks and beer. Anyway here is a little known often overloooked tip. The problem people have with the front body mounts is that of missing something. There are actualy a set of jam nuts on the top of these bolts. Before you say they are impossibloe to get to that isnt the case. WIth a insanely long extension or extensions you can come down to them from the top. THEN you try to remove the bolts. They are still stuborn but not as much so. Do NOT cut the steering shaft bolt as then you have to figure a way to replace it and that involves getting what you cut out.

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

Sry sber, i'm wasted and can give you no more help, Gd Nigt & Gd Lck