I just got in from outside, attempting to put on some rear coilovers... I broke the bolt that goes through the bottom of the strut... broke it @ about 1/2" from the end of the 6pt side. Can anyone give some insight on why this happened? I was using a breaker bar because my impact gun wouldn't take it off, and don't tell me "because you turned it too hard", is the bolt slotted or something?

Thanks,
Rich

 

It's because the bolt was seized to the bushing sleeve. It's a common problem. It happened to me twice on two different Integras. When you reassemble use Anti-Seize on the bolt where it makes contact with the bushing sleeve.

 

Ok thanks, in the meantime I have 3/4 of the bolt still in the sleeve.... what to do? I am thinking about drilling it out, but then I'll have to get a new LCA right?

 

I just went through this myself last week...Twisted the head of the bolt off with a breaker bar( after breaking a socket) I drilled out the nut on the other side of the shock untill I could pull the LCA free. Then removed the LCA and drill out the rest of the bolt in a drill press. The anti sieze is a good idea.

 

Yeah... I took it over to a friend's place lastnight to see if I could get it out with a punch & hammer but no luck... I'll probably just remove the LCA like you did and drill it out... I'll probably ruin it though, I might just see if I can get another LCA in case I mis-drill it badly.

 

I have a bolt head that looks the exactly like yours, and my impact wrench wouldn't budge it either. I don't think you will have to replace the whole LCA, I believe the rubber bushing is replaceable, It just presses out.and you can press in a new rubber bushing and metal insert. Might be a good time to put in some polyurathane bushings.

 

Ahh yes. the infamous rear LCA bolts. They have a nasty habbit of rusting into the bushing. I had to drill mine out, a VERY laborious process, and i ended up drilling into the side of the bushing sleeve. The bushing sleeve can be easilly replaced if you can get the LCA off the car. I ended up just cutting the ******* thing off by cutting through the sleeve on either side of the shock using a recriprocating saw.

The bushings can be bought from any dealership.

Good luck!

 

Maybe your Impact Wrench just sucks ???? I've taken off many of these w/o a problem, rusted ones and even bent ones at our shop ???

My friend a piece of advice for you, get yourself or invest some money on GOOD tools !!! Try something like the Ingersoll - Rand Model#IRT-261 great for suspension work and engine teardown !!!

People please don't go cheap on TOOLS !!!!