Stubborn Bolt Remedy - Impact Wrench?

[vesnyder]

Working on my daily driver and replacing the rear struts. First one went OK, but removing the second one I broke both my 3/8" and 1/2" drive 19mm sockets - broke both of them? Would I have any better luck using an impact wrench with impact sockets? Can you use an extension with an impact wrench?

At least both of the broken ones are Craftsman!

[Randy Webb]

yes, impact is your friend.

try heat, Kroil and tapping it with a metal piece, if you don't have impact.

can also use hand impact kits.

[ChrisBennet]

You can use an extension with an impact wrench but it reduces the impact considerably.
-Chris

[stefang]

I wound up using a 2' breaker bar with a 1/2 inch drive impact socket. The bottom shock bolt defeated my puny impact wrench (I also immediately went out and got a gnarly 500ft/lb impact wrench to send a message to all other lurking stuck bolts)

Stef

[lparker]

If you're going to end up replacing the bolts, don't forget the Dremel. I checked the archives on here and someone suggested the carbide attachment which has worked pretty well for me in cutting the 20yr old rusted bolts. BTW, i tried the Oxy torch/ PB blaster method and it didn't work as well as the Dremel and hammer/drift method.

[rick-l]

Are you talking about the shocks that attach at the bottom with a large bolt into the arm the rear wheel pivots on? It may have been just serendipity but if you raise the arm so there is no load on the shock and the bolt isn't levered against the thread in the hole it comes out much easier.