How Do I Get This Bolt Out?!?

Robert Coats · Robert Coats's Garage

I'm installing some springs on my '91 C4, and can't get the rear trailing arm bolt loose. Here's a photo of Jeff Curtis' doing the (install) part of job on his car:

My Snap-On 1/2-drive impact can't seem to even budge the bolt loose, even with the air line cranked up to 110 psi. Arrrgghhh.

Any hints on how to get this sum***** bolt out? Heat it maybe? Spray with lube? All suggestions welcome.

carnut169 · carnut169's Garage

Robert- I used a breaker bar to get mine going when I changed to Bilstein Sports.

Kevin Stewart · 01-04-2003, 01:16 PM

A breaker bar and pipe, if you have a impact socket use that so you dont break the socket. Make sure you get it real tight or even torque it when you reinstall or it will come loose real easy, Kevin

TimT · 01-04-2003, 01:21 PM

Robert,

May seem crazy, but try and tighten the bolt, just a few whacks with the impact gun.

Or try cycling between tightening and loosening with the impact. If the fastener is stubborn be patient and go for the little bits of motion you can get.. and take it from there

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

3/4 drive breaker bar with a pipe over the end......it's one of my first and oldest set of tools.....I use it mostly for breaking loose axle nuts.

Extend it out as far as you can go and jump on it. If that does not break it loose nothing will.

BTW....110 psi will barely break loose a lug nut....

carnut169 · carnut169's Garage

Robert- one more thing... I have both the breaker bar, pipe, and proper socket if you want to borrow them- or just come over and we can get it loose!

HarryD · 01-04-2003, 01:49 PM

Some folks use Porsche special tool #BFH at the end of the breaker bar to get some motion.

I hear the BFH-320 oz can be very effective.

YMMV

RoninLB · 01-04-2003, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HarryD
Some folks use Porsche special tool #BFH at the end of the breaker bar to get some motion.

I hear the BFH-320 oz can be very effective.

YMMV

Harry.. I looked in the Special Tools and Equipment P catalog and couldn't find it.. tools make me curious..........Ron

rfuerst911sc · 01-04-2003, 03:31 PM

I had a good laugh on this one,for those that don't know the special tool # BFH-320 OZ.-the BFH stands for Big Fu__ing Hammer!!HAHAHAHAHA

RoninLB · 01-04-2003, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rfuerst911sc
I had a good laugh on this one,

LOL.. OK, gotta pay my dues.. but the BFH on the nut while a box wrench is torqued sets up harmonics in the threads.. which has helped me at times.. kinda like the vibrator, LOL........Ron

HarryD · 01-04-2003, 04:28 PM

Ok, Enuff fun.

To answer the original question. I would soak the joint in pentrating oil and go to bed. The next morning, get the socket, breaker bar and BFH and start pounding. As Add more oil, wait and start again. Tedious but it usually works. As TimT suggested, sometomes moving it the otherway help to break it loose but I would reserve that for the last ditch attempt.

The best part is that wave of satification when it finally breaks....... free!

pwd72s · 01-04-2003, 07:35 PM

I can't believe it...nobody has mentioned PB BLASTER!

david c. · 01-04-2003, 07:47 PM

I had the same difficulty last spring. I was actually concerned that I was going to break the head off the bolt. John Walker told me to use the biggest bar I could find, not to worry about breaking the bolt-that he had never broken one in his many years of this... I think I had to jump on the bar too.

47silver · 47silver's Garage

i never took one off, but is the bolt a regular thread, clockwise to tighten counter clockwise to loosen?

gary

Speedy1 · Speedy1's Garage

I know some impact guns are better than others. I had one that had over 600flb of torque. ( It was expensive) And most only go to 230-300 flb. of torque. Anyhow no bolt was safe from that beast. Try maby renting one and give that a try.

yelcab1 · 01-04-2003, 09:03 PM

This only works on one of the two bolts.

Long 3/4 breaker bar or 1/2 ratchet, resting on a floor jack, and jack it up. It only works on one side of the car.

911pcars · 01-04-2003, 10:57 PM

As Mikez mentions, 110 psi won't get you there. You need 150 psi and you won't get that unless you have a two-stage air compressor. Makes all the difference.

Another stumbling block with applying a lot of torque to suspension pieces is the access. Trying to back off bolts this size while on your back is not the most effective method. I'd run the car down to the local muffler shop on a slow day, pay them a few bucks to drive it up on the lift, then flog away with the big breaker bar and hammer to break it free; tighten it up then drive back home to finish the job.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

Superman · 01-04-2003, 11:15 PM

Air is for sissies. I'm telling you, and I think JW told you, that the safest and most effective way to persuade a stubborn fastener is to make sure a good-fitting tool is fully seated on the head, and apply a smooth, strong force. Thus, the breaker bar and pipe suggestions. It has always worked for me, but then my pipe is 5' long. sometimes size matters. In this case it makes all the difference. Length.

KTL · 01-05-2003, 12:42 AM

There it is! Super Jim's obligatory air-tools-are-for-wimps comment! He does it every time.

How'd that slotted nut for the ball joint come loose? Better not have been via air tools...............

With the breaker bar method be sure to avoid using an extension on the socket. It'll most likely break at the female end if it's 1/2 in. drive.

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

The Ingersall Rand 2131 1/2" drive impact wrench is available at Sears. 600ft/lbs of force in reverse. I haven't met a bolt it didn't like.

-Chris