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Stripped subframe nut

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Old 07-25-06, 10:34 AM
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Stripped subframe nut

Last night I was attempting to pull my subframe, because my oil pan has been leaking badly and needs a reseal. All of the mounting nuts were on extremely tight. My impact wouldnt even budge them, I had to get out my breaker bar. This was a pain but all the nuts cam free except one. The driver's side nut to the rear of the front portion of the control arm. It stripped, badly (shoulders of the nut, not the threads).

So what do I do now? I am totally burnt out on this car. What sort of place can I take it to, to get this nut off...(mazda stealership)? I am truely at my wits end...if it isn't one thing it's another. If you are local to Phoenix and know a specific place, that is even better.

I appreciate any help...
Old 07-25-06, 11:59 AM
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Cut it off with an angle grinder. Be careful
Old 07-25-06, 12:38 PM
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angle grinder or die grinder with very thin cutting wheel. cut just outside the threads to make 2 parallel sides, then clamp on with some vice grips and see if you can just break the nut.

Before you decide to try and turn it, hit it with some PB Blaster, let it sit overnight, hit it again in the morning, let it sit, hit it that night, and then try the next morning.
Old 07-25-06, 12:52 PM
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Anyone know if these studs are replaceable? Or will I have to weld a new one in?

How do you fit an angle grinder up into that area? I know my vice grips won't fit. My grinder for sure wont fit. My dremel 'might' fit...

Where would be a good place to take it, to have someone else take care of it? I am DONE dealing with this car...

Besides I think you need a lift and a cutting torch.
Old 07-25-06, 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by cozmo kraemer
The driver's side nut to the rear of the front portion of the control arm stripped, badly (shoulders of the nut, not the threads).

So what do I do now? I am totally burnt out on this car. What sort of place can I take it to, to get this nut off...(mazda stealership)? I am truely at my wits end...if it isn't one thing it's another. If you are local to Phoenix and know a specific place, that is even better.

I appreciate any help...
Two ideas:

1. Apply lots of penetrating oil + heat + impact (not impact wrench) on the nut to loosen it, then use a stripped-nut remover (I've seen them somewhere) or vise grips to twist it off, or
2. Use a nut splitter to split the nut to remove it

Dave
Old 07-25-06, 03:21 PM
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HEAT. With enough heat, anything will come off
Old 07-25-06, 03:27 PM
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Hey Cozmo:

A mechanic once showed me a trick. It's a bit ghetto, but it works under the right circumstances. First, do as others have suggested, get it good and lathered with PB Blaster or your liquid wrench of choice. Take a socket that is the next size smaller than the size of the nut (it may even be a standard size [i.e., not metric]), hammer the socket onto the nut-- hopefully it gets a good bite on the nut--,and then turn it off. I would use a cheap bastard socket for this or buy a cheap one that you will not feel bad about throwing away. I have never lost a socket this way, because usually you can mount them in a vise later and dislodge the nut. Just the same, I would not want to use a good set of expensive sockets for this.


If all else fails or you are really beyond fed up, PM me and we can take a shot at it at my place. I have a lift and impact wrenchs, etc. I am sure we can get er done.

Last edited by jd to rescue; 07-25-06 at 03:32 PM.
Old 07-25-06, 05:39 PM
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go to sears and get the spriale nut remover set for 19.99 and use your impact. you will break the bolt or the nut will BE GONE
Old 07-25-06, 07:07 PM
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I have seen people fry off rivets with an ascetalene (sp?) torch...I think that will be the last resort. I bet the impact w/ a stripped nut remover would do it. I will go off to Sears to see if I can find the proper tool. Only problem with an impact and a car on jack stands is that it is difficult to get enough force behind the hammer swing. I will do my best... Otherwise... JD you will get a PM.
Old 07-28-06, 12:45 PM
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Impact with the Sears nut removers didn't work. The nut is on with just too much torque. I dont know what to do know. I am taking it to an alignment shop today. I will see what they say.
Old 07-28-06, 01:12 PM
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Melt it off and go call malloy and get a new stud and nut. I had to do the same thing
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