pjw73nh

07 Civic Ex, 178k miles. Original shocks. Time to replace. Passenger rear went without incident. 20 minutes.

Drivers rear. Nightmare. 3 hours (so far).

Here is the sitiuation. The lower shock bolt is rusted solid to the steel sleeve that is inside the rubber bushing of the lower shock mount.Further, the "nut" that is spot welded to the lower shock mounting flange has become detached via the options below that I have tried. It is removable. The sleeve and bushing just spin within the shock and flange. See attached pics.

I have tried: P Blaster, air impact gun, breaker bar, "some" heat, air hammer, hammer & chisel, vice grips etc.

Anyone else ever have this issue:

I have a cutting torch, but drivers rear is VERY close to fuel tank & lines, further, there doesn't seem to be much room for "cutting torch runoff/ colateral damage".

I thought of a sawzall and trying to cut the bolt in two places, but again, there is very little room to work without potential for some coleteral damage.

Gotta get it out.... Thoughts?

Thanks.

holmesnmanny

might need an angle grinder or cut off wheel on a Dremel and cut that bolt

pjw73nh

Holmes,
Tnx for the suggestion. Tried the Dremel, Went through 3 cut-off wheels and barely scratched it. Angle grinder won't fit.

I finally got the nerve up to go for it and took out the cutting torch. With unfavorable results. I got the shock out, but in the process I inadvertently ended up making a small slice in the bolt bracket. I was able to get a bolt through it with some washers and tighten the bejeezus out of it. Seems to hold well. I will probably try and run a bead with my MIG over the top of the slice, and weld the washer to the bracket.