sleeptime

So I am putting in new KBY struts and edelbrock coils all the way around my 97 LX. I got the fronts done and once I got to the rears i snapped the lower strut to control arm bolt. What is the deal with this bolt, it look like it is not supposed to come out? And why will the rear suspension not drop so that I can get the old strut out? That is up? Thanks!

Malakai

those bolts are usually seized. as for taking the old one out, did u unbolt the 2 top nuts? Thats wat holds it up from the top.

EK_B

Aw man seized bolts suck ***. Search LCA bolt and you will get a lot of feedback.

ocJDM4dr

Very common problem its like the bolt welds itself the metal sleeve, i believe due to rust. I had the same problem when doing my suspension, I gave up and I ended up burning the bushing with a torch and bought new control arms. Good luck

sleeptime

I finally got all four struts replaced. I ended up buying two new lower strut bolts, which I would encourage anyone doing this to do from the start. I drilled the metal sleeve, stepping up and finishing with a 25/64th inch drill bit. On the other rear strut bolt, I snapped the head of the bolt after attempting to loosen it first. I then attached a pole to the end of my ratchet and broke the weld of the nut that was fixed to the strut itself. Once loose, I tightened the nut drawing out the rest of the bolt. There was not much threading left on the bolt, so at that point I punched the rest of the bolt out with a hammer and a spike. I just wish that I tried this in the first place on the other strut. It may have saved me all the time it took to drill through the 1½-inch long sleeve. Good luck with any future projects and thanks for the replies. Sorry no pics. I promise this will be the last time. i do not wish anyone else to be in the same messes i get in.

instrument

hope you put some antiseize back there when you were done...