NickW

^^That about it...the bolts on both sides of the car that hold the bottom of the strut onto the lower control arm will not come off my car. I have been using PB blaster and 2 different air guns...they won't ****** budge!!! So does anyone have any suggestions to get them out? I could use a torch but it would probably just toast the rubber bushing. I've also heard of people cutting the strut to get it out.

Any suggestions to help me out would greatly appreciated,
Nick


(BTW) it is a 96 civic coupe.

upgraded

Thats a nasty problem. If you have a die grinder you can cut the lower shock mounts if you are replacing them anyway. If not you can cut the bolt and pulll the shock off. Bad thing is unless you are installing a bushing kit the arms are shot. Thats a bad design as far as I'm conerned with that bushing setup on hondas. You would think they would at leats put some sort of anti sieze on the metal sleeve inside the bushing so that the bolt would not freeze to it. good luck.

Mike_C

Gonna have to cut or torch, our cars are notorious for having these bolts seize to the bushings. Be sure when you replace the bolt and bushing that you use some anti-seize. It may not help but it is worth a shot!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by upgraded &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Bad thing is unless you are installing a bushing kit the arms are shot. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not following you, the bushings can be pressed out.

lsvinny

yep! that happen on mine i cut the bolt and replaced the bushing, then anti seized the **** out of every thing

NickW

Thanks for the quick responses...I guess I'm just gonna order some
OEM bushings on monday from honda and rip the old ones out. Who would have thought that installing some simple coilovers would be the frustrating.

Mike_C

Had you done some homework you would have known to expect this Your local Honda dealer should have the bushings and bolts on hand, might want to check there rather than order them.

pdiggitydogg

my honda dealership NEVER has ANYTHING in stock....all 3 of them
only things theyve ever had was ps fluid and an exhaust mani gasket

oh, and i had the same prob...i cut the shock forks and then the bolt head -&gt; hammered the rest out

dose

try to heat it up w/ a torch and then hit with an impact gun,it works sometimes

HATCHingMN

that thing is going to break no matter what, so plan ahead get some bushing and a new screw!!

The Internet Tough Guy

i doubt your dealer has the bushings and the bolts in stock. they might though. look into some poly bushings from energy suspension.

Myh4tch

I feel ya man... I have gone through this **** 2x, once installing my coilovers then installing shocks... What I did was cut a slit in the bolt and used a hammer and mallet.. Just pounded that bitch out... Pretty much its all out war over there and do what you have to do.

g4hatchie

i had to cut my strut. good excuse for SRR/DC2 control arms

NickW

Well used hella PB blaster to try and break some of the rust and grime up...didn't work, lol. SO we took a torch to them. Got the bolts unscrewed and loosened..but half of the bushing came with it, so no dice...gonna get some bushings on monday if the stealership has them...and then get this crap done.

Thanks guys.