I've spent a few days working at a seized lower rear strut bolt. I've soaked it in PB Blaster. I've heated it. I've cooled it. I've yelled at it. I've tried impact wrenches and breaker bars...but it won't budge. I haven't stripped it yet, but it's showing wear
I'm thinking of running a reciprocating saw down through the bushing and cutting the bolt. Think that will work, or will I just go through a pack of metal blades and be left with a compromised bolt?
I'm swapping in an entire new rear suspension so I don't need to save any parts, just get the old one out.
Jer
I guess a reciprocating saw with a metal blade should get through that thing without issue. I've used cutoff wheels before and sawalls when needed. I'm from the North, eh.
Whatever you can do to get it off is the way to go, thing is, it may be welded to shaft inside the bushing. Had that problem with a control arm the other day and it was a real pita.
Follow up.
It worked. The saw barely fit in the wheel well. I had to put the blade and the saw in separately, then connect them in position. Even then, the blade was flexing quite a bit. It would have been easier on a lift.
The nuts and bolts had become one. The undersides of the heads and the bolt shafts were clean. Probably could have dremeled the nut, knocked it off, and pulled out the bolt. But sawing was pretty fun
Those kind I usually put my wrench on and pull untill they twist off. The bolt looks surprisingly good. Glad you got it off and with no other causualties.
Make sure you goop up the new bolts with plenty of Anti-Seize (just the shafts, not the threads)
