orion84gsl

iTrader: (5)

Ok so my car is up on jacks, with the suspension torn apart. For starters, I've brokena a few bolt heads off (23 yr old bolts apparently do that) and im wondering what the easiest and/or fastest way to remove the broken part is. Second, the spacer sleeves on my front sway bar links and the sleeve inside one of my rear damper bushings are seized onto the bolts, and WD-40 just isn't cutting it. Is there a chemical that will loosen things up enough, or another method to removing them, the same applies for the lower front strut bolts.
Thanks.

justint5387

iTrader: (1)

Try PB blaster for seized bolts... I don't know what you can do about the broken ones.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

WD-40 is a better maritial aid than rust penetrant. If you don't understand that, try it on your sheepskin sock, lol. P B Blaster and an air hammer with a point will work them out. For bolts that don't have bushings, add heat to the PB.

If you're snaping off the sheetmetal bolts, drill and retap.

jarath

You're gonna wanna buy a few cans of PB blaster and really douse everything you intend to remove before touching it... sometimes let it soak in for some time, and redo... I've even heard people leaving it until the following day and going back to it. As for removing old bolt, I use a dremel and cut a slot into it and then use an impact screwdriver to get it out... that or an easy out. Think you can also drill them out / retap but as a last resort.

jarath

Omg... beat me in a matter of seconds.

Mechanic

if the bolt looks toooo old to begin with, ill see if it moves with a wrench, if not, pb for a few minutes / hours / one day, depending on where im working. then ill try lightly with my rattle gun, and if that dont go... then ill put the torch to it..... and then a wrench and if that dont work, ill put the rattle gun on it again while hot... and if it still broke, then it ment to be broken. thats when the drill comes out.

Mr_Radguy

If there's enough of the bolt stud portruding, i weld a cheap socket over the end and then remove the broken bolt with a ratchet and cheater bar.

orion84gsl

iTrader: (5)

thanks guys, ill get som pb blaster today and soak her down, im gonna try the slot and screwdriver method first, although i dont have access to any air tools, so hopefully i can pull somethin off. thanks again

stuberg

Just finished replacing all the bushings - shocks - springs on my '84. Also had stubborn bolts and sleeves. Used a sawzall with metal blade to cut thru bushing and bolts. Cuts thru like butter. Ordered new bolts thru BlackDragon. Everything worked out just fine. Hope this helps.

orion84gsl

iTrader: (5)

well i got everything i was talking about taken care of. took some heat and a hammer, but its all done. thanks guys

Jason Guthrie

Is the PB Blaster for rusted stuck bolts or should we use WD40 for the rusty ones? I'm pulling my slave out (the 12mm under dash dance) and the bottom bolt is totally rusted from where the Dot3 leaked inside. I cannot believe the incredibly bad location of that unit.