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How to unfreeze strut bolts?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by Chicago77, Dec 15, 2022.

  1. Dec 15, 2022 at 10:35 PM
    #1
    Chicago77

    Chicago77 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I am rebuilding the front of my truck, with a fair amount of newengland rust. Im at a loss of how to get the bolts off the top of the struts.

    I cant get my impact wrench up there or a sawsall to cut them off. I cant even get a ratched on them because the stud is too big for normal size and a deep socket wont fit. I have hit them with a torch and kroil, and I'm sitting here wacking a 14mm wrench.

    How have you solved this problem?

    tacoma progress.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2022
  2. Dec 15, 2022 at 10:40 PM
    #2
    montijo505

    montijo505 Moon soon?

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    Big cheater bar, the longer the better.
     
  3. Dec 15, 2022 at 10:42 PM
    #3
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    I slit them with a dremmel grinder so that it relieves tension but it still acts as a nut then blast it off. The back ones are a bastard.
     
  4. Dec 15, 2022 at 10:45 PM
    #4
    Chicago77

    Chicago77 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    this would be great if I could get a bar on them.
     
  5. Dec 15, 2022 at 10:46 PM
    #5
    Chicago77

    Chicago77 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    This migth work. I might cut the nuts on two sides and hit them with the air chissel. Yeah... that back one.
     
    wilcam47 likes this.
  6. Dec 16, 2022 at 5:25 PM
    #6
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    I had all 6 studs break loose then just spin.

    I put a piece of plywood on the inner fender and jacked up off the upper control arm very careful !!

    I then had no problem getting in with the 4" grinder and cut off wheel.
     
  7. Dec 16, 2022 at 5:26 PM
    #7
    Mark77

    Mark77 Well-Known Member

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    Use a map gas torch and heat it up.
     
    koditten likes this.
  8. Dec 16, 2022 at 5:34 PM
    #8
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    Reserected from the dead.
    I used my soldering micro torch to heat mine red hot. Had to fill the torch with butane 4x, but I was able to use channel lock plyers and the nuts backed right off.
     
    wilcam47 likes this.
  9. Dec 16, 2022 at 5:44 PM
    #9
    joeyv141

    joeyv141 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah cut the two front nuts and wack them apart, can you get a dremel with the little cut off wheel to get at the rear nut? If you have to unscrew them I would try to wire brush the visible threads to remove as much rust as possible so the nuts don't get jammed on that rust.
     
  10. Dec 16, 2022 at 6:30 PM
    #10
    Chicago77

    Chicago77 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Many hours later lol. But strangely the drivers side to my delight only took 15 minutes. With just some heat.

    I’m n the passenger side I cut off the front bolts with my grinder but could not touch the rear with anything. I’m not sure how you are jacking it. My strut is connected to the frame. The body doesn’t move independently.

    Ended up hacking at it with the dremel + air chisel and extractor w/ pipe extension and 3lb hammer and eventually got it off after many many curse words.

    511BB5F9-C264-4840-88D0-BDEA4382A132.jpg
     
  11. Dec 16, 2022 at 6:45 PM
    #11
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    In the future this could be removed with a 14mm flare nut crowfoot adapter and breaker bar. But you can avoid the problem by spraying some Cosmoline or Fluid Film on the stud before installation.
     
  12. Dec 16, 2022 at 6:46 PM
    #12
    joeyv141

    joeyv141 Well-Known Member

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    Congratulations
     
    montijo505 likes this.
  13. Dec 16, 2022 at 6:47 PM
    #13
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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  14. Dec 16, 2022 at 7:08 PM
    #14
    Chicago77

    Chicago77 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The air chisel is my new favorite tool. Picked a harbor freight one up for $15.

    new shocks have actual bolts without the built in washer that welded itself to the stud. Also Anti seize is going on everything
     
    3JOH22A likes this.
  15. Dec 16, 2022 at 7:17 PM
    #15
    4x4spiegel

    4x4spiegel Well-Known Member

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    nothing succeeds like success , congratulation's for your due diligence
     

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