lower strut bolt- i cant break the bastard loose!!!!
 

i cant get the nut off the bolt that goes through the lca and lower strut on the rear suspension of my 97 hx. i need to replace the upper mounts, so this bolt needs to come out. i tried mad pb blaster, a 2 1/2 foot breaker bar, a fuckin 4 foot pipe over the wratchet(i broke 3 extensions with this) and my friends air tools tonight. no luck. i know those bolts have a tendancy to sieze in the bushing, but i cant even get the nut off. anyone have any tricks up their sleeve for shit like this?????

Re: lower strut bolt- i cant break the bastard loose!!!! (blackeg)
 

did you use liquid wrench?

Re: lower strut bolt- i cant break the bastard loose!!!! (Team 4R)
 

Righty tighty, lefty loosy https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmilep.gif

Try some WD-40 to see if it lossens things up.

Re: lower strut bolt- i cant break the bastard loose!!!! (dohcdelsol)
 

WD-40, or PB nut breaker, and then hit the head of the bolt with a hammer, dont be gentle with it, the vibrations allow the liquid to get into the rusted surfaces, that might help

*wait, did you say the nut, the nut is WELDED to the strut itself, turn the bolt, not the nut my friend https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

Re: lower strut bolt- i cant break the bastard loose!!!! (dohcdelsol)
 

I used some WD-40 and a normal closed wrench. Then I put my foot to work https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...es/emsmile.gif But yeah I hear you on how these bolts can be an ass.

the nut itself is welded on to the strut.... ahha oops saw ^ 2 posts up

Re: (JDM EJ1 95)
 

i was tryin the nut and the bolt- ill let that shit straight up soak in pb blaster tomorrow and try that

Re: (blackeg)
 

Youll propably end up torching the little sob out of there, Ive had to do that on everyone of my friends cars we did suspension work on. If you torch it take the shock and lca off as one piece so its easier to work with. And just cut the bolt out of there, it should only take a few mines depending on your skills with the torch. Dont worry about melting the bushing in there because you should replace that anyhow if your doing new shocks. Youll have to get the sleave out tho with either a press or a good old fashioned Air chissel. I recomend a press tho less chance of messing up the lca, You can get some performance ones for 20 -25 for a pair and most car stores will put them in for you as well for free if you buy the part from them if not for a few bucks, its a snap with a press.... https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

Re: (nocternaldragon)
 

funny mine just broke, but then agian i got a very powerful right hand .

Re: (blackeg)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blackeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i was tryin the nut and the bolt- ill let that shit straight up soak in pb blaster tomorrow and try that</TD></TR></TABLE>

Try putting a propane torch to the nut for expansion. If that doesnt work just cut the head and nut off, then hammer the bolt through.

Re: (pdiggitydogg)
 

when i was changing the suspension in my last civic- the bolt got siezed in there real good, and i wound up taking the head off the bolt completely. man did that suck https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emsad.gif . ill get workin on thiss again in a few hours, so ill see how today treats me

gotta cut it. it is seized to the bushing and no matter how hard you try the bushing will flex a little bit and put very little torque on the bolt.

Re: (mle_92cx)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mle_92cx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">funny mine just broke, but then agian i got a very powerful right hand .</TD></TR></TABLE>

me and my friends did too, luckily i had gsr lca's sitting around, i really wanted those ssr purple anodized ones https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmilep.gif

Airtools is the way to go when working with big bolts and nuts and stuff.. i know i got my two rear lower control arm bolts off by heating and using an impact at the same time.. (came right out)

Re: (hondainspired)
 

Welcome to the world of honda suspensions!!!! https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emthdown.gif

Liberal amounts of PB on the bolt the day before and morning before the install and airtools. didnt even have a hiccup!!
https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

yea i started to get the idea... PB IS AMAZING

Re: (hondainspired)
 

ok well i managed to get one side loose. the other side bottom bolt has a 3/8 alan instead of a hex nut. well i applied the pb blaster a few times(to ensure best results). long story short is the alan on the bolt stripped out, so now i gotta bring it somewhere and have them drill the fucker out and ill prolly need a new bushing too. this just pisses me off because i am capable of doin the work and i know what to do, but stupid bullshit gets in the way and now i gotta spend money to have someone else do it https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emsad.gif

Re: lower strut bolt- i cant break the bastard loose!!!! (blackeg)
 

jack the car up, actually use a lift. and jack the control arm under the hub to correct toe geometry. may have seized, its only 60lb-ft torqued i think

Re: lower strut bolt- i cant break the bastard loose!!!! (Redline96LX)
 

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...b/f7559df9.jpg

Re: lower strut bolt- i cant break the bastard loose!!!! (dirtyd463)
 

what kind of wratches are you using? if they're 3/8ths you DEFIENETELY need to go up to 1/2"
I've busted 3/8th ratches to shit,
then tried a 1/2 and problem solved.
they're much much beefier.

Re: lower strut bolt- i cant break the bastard loose!!!! (Tad)
 

Eat your Wheaties!

Re: lower strut bolt- i cant break the bastard loose!!!! (blackeg)
 

i think the bolt and the metal sleeve on the bushing is rusted...if so you are going to break the head of the bolt...hope the other side isn't ...be prepared to do some drilling and tapping 10x1.25 if im not mistaken. good luck

same thing happened to me, i broke both heads off the bolts, ended up buying new struts and cutting the old ones off. then had to drill the bolt out of the bushing. good luck!

Re: (MikeD718)
 

yeah youre gonna end up breaking the head off the blt and cutting/drilling it out and buying new bolts and bushings, push it out with a hydraulic press out of the lca

it happens to everyone its always the rears, thats just the way it is- good luck https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

Re: lower strut bolt- i cant break the bastard loose!!!! (Spade Racing)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Spade Racing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Eat your Wheaties!</TD></TR></TABLE>


HAHA!


I ended up tourching the bastard on my friends teg.