Break free this nut? How?

[Gawernator]

So.. my shop friend broke a 24mm Craftsman Pro series socket and could not break free this nut with his air-impact gun using an impact socket either. It's the 24 mm nut for adjusting the ride height in the rear, i.e. trailing blade thing. What should I/we try to do? I'm sure this hasn't budged since 1986 lol. Is getting a cheater bar on and lowering the car and using the weight of the car to break it free a good/safe idea?

[suedeworthey]

Penetrating lubricant?

[FrenchToast]

Well, don't be under the car when you're doing this. If you use the weight of the car, stand back and behind something. Something could snap and fly through the air.

[Gawernator]

It has come to my attention that this nut may be reverse threaded. Surely somebody has adjusted the trailing blade before?

[bebbetufs]

I don't remember any of the nuts being reverse threaded, but it's been a year since I took the suspension apart. I Used a shop jack at the shaft of a large ring wrench. I gently jacked the shaft upward to loosen while tapping the head of the bolt using a hammer to break it free.

[Gawernator]

Hmm.. so you jacked up a wrench. Nifty. You just whacked the nut with a hammer? or you hit the head of the bolt on the opposite side?

[rhett]

Originally Posted by bebbetufs

I don't remember any of the nuts being reverse threaded, but it's been a year since I took the suspension apart. I Used a shop jack at the shaft of a large ring wrench. I gently jacked the shaft upward to loosen while tapping the head of the bolt using a hammer to break it free.

Yep, I concur here..jack up a ring spanner (wrench) to put a load on the nut (not reverse threaded) and use a hammer and punch to hit the nut to help break it free. I recall having to use loads of penetrating oil and quite a bit of heat too.

This nut is torqued to 180 ftlbs at the factory, then 25 years of use and corrosion, it is just possible that the bolt will snap as it is very hard hi-tensile steel, so dont be too violent!

Remember you will need to loosen both bolts:



Don't even think about trying to turn the large bolt head until the nut is loose as this thing is eccentric - however, once you have got it loose, take it out and clean everything as crud will have built up on the threads and in the hole.

[Eric_Oz_S2]

I used an impact wrench on the nut, and needed to hold it on for about 30 seconds before it budged. You can't turn the eccentric bolt as it will never move until the nut is removed from behind.

[mytrplseven]

I'd call the Mythbusters for help.

[Gawernator]

Thanks!

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by Eric_Oz_S2

I used an impact wrench on the nut, and needed to hold it on for about 30 seconds before it budged. You can't turn the eccentric bolt as it will never move until the nut is removed from behind.

+1

This turkey was stronger than my axel nuts. It was heavily corroded to the bolt. Penetrating oil every hour and running it with the impact for 30 seconds eventually got it.

[emoore924]

I'd put a torch on it until its glowing. Then whack it with a hammer a few times or put a whindy gun on it. It'll come off.

[Gawernator]

Okay, sweet. My next question then is, if I torch this sucker, do I have to replace it? Or can it be used again still.

[bebbetufs]

I would replace it. Heating it until it is glowing will alter the hardening.

[Gawernator]

Heat may be a last resort then..

[rhett]

Originally Posted by bebbetufs

I would replace it. Heating it until it is glowing will alter the hardening.

That is right, so...heat it, but not excessively. Use a small propane blowlamp and apply the heat to the nut not directly onto the bolt shaft.

Of course you could always try a nut splitter tool (if it fits??).