My Strut Lower Bolt and Nut is STUCK: How Can I Loosen it?!

Yes I torched it. Yes I use pen oil.
I think it’s seized. Anyone have tips? It doesn’t help that my socket can’t fit on this nut cause the lower mount is in the way?!?

 

Socket? Where are your box wrenches?

 

My suggestion would be an impact tool?
When I plan on working on rusted hardware I spray penetrating oil the hardware everyday for about a week or longer

 

Induction heater and Kroil. You can get it cherry red and never put a bit of heat into anything else that is nearby.

 

I'm thinking the nut should be on the forward side of the strut and the bolt head on the back side of the strut. You can correct when you put back together.

Clean the threads with a wire brush. Spray liquid wrench of your choice. If you can't get a socket / extension on the nut, I'd try getting on the bolt head and turn that. . Not sure what you are heating the nut with (propane, MAP, oxygen/act?)..... But if that isn't working (heat and getting on nut/bolt head), I'd grind off the bolt head and use a punch to drive bolt out.

With a 1/2" drive socket with breaker bar and heat, that beauty should at least turn or snap.

 

My first thought is using an impact gun. It's either going to break loose or break off. Either outcome allows you to move forward. Otherwise, socket and breaker bar.

 

Impact it

 

I heated it with a handheld propane torch. Really good size torch actually. Tried to use a 3/8 drive socket. Broke a 30” breaker bar in the process. Moving up to a 3/4 socket 40inch breaker bar. Shop quoted me $800 before alignment to install these shocks (front only)

 

$800 install.... that is crazy. A 3/4 " drive socket and bar should get it done.

 

Impact

 

Use that 800 to upgrade your tools repertoire.

 

Maybe. I’m already eyeing a Milwaukee high torque impact. But for $300 it better either break this thing or get it out. Would hate to spend that then it not work

 

Youre going to snap it or round it off....
PB blaster...
Lots & lots of heat till the nut is glowing...
Must use impact, the rattles & hammering from an air powered gun is where its at...
Cordless impacts & breaker bars break rusty shit....

 

Try MAPP Gas it burns much hotter, propane only burns camping food.

 

This ^^^ it’s not the size of the torch, it’s the fuel. Propane is probably not hot enough. MAPP will be hotter. Neither will be as hot as acetylene.

 

100%
Not everyone will have easy access though, just like an air impact.....