replacing rear shocks - corroded bolt

[yorkee]

I am trying to remove the rear shocks. The bolt has been corroded with the bushing metal sleeve and it spin freely. I cannot back out the bolt. I tried to use a vice grip to hold the bushing metal sleeve but it's slipping. I tried to use a c-clamp but it's not strong enough.

I am thinking of using an air hammer to punch the screw out. That said it usually do some form of damage if I use force. (bent the shocks frame, or forcing the slave to come out of the screw hole and ultimately ruin the shocks frame )

I also thinking of cutting the bottom of the shocks eye out, then cut the rubber bushing and get to the sleeve. (pita but I did it on some other leaf spring vehicle)

What you guys recommended?

[v2rocket_aka944]

What year car do you have?

The upper shock bolt has a nut, towards the inside of the car.

On the early cars there is just a bolt and nut for lower mount, and just a big bolt threaded into the arm for the late cars...

[yorkee]

1984

For now I am just trying to take out the lower bolt. The nut came out. The bolt is turning. but the bolt corroded with the bushing's metal sleeve and the two become one piece, so it won't come out. I can snap couple of pics...

[mytrplseven]

I'd recommend cutting the end of the shock with an angle grinder in several places to expose the bolt. Kinda like peeling an onion. Basically taking the end of it apart from the outside. You could also cut the bolt off at the shock with the grinder with a cutting disc and then replace the bolt with a new one.

[yorkee]

This is what my shock mount looks like:


This is how it look from the bottom:


The sleeve which belongs to the bushing has been corroded with the bolt. There is nothing attached the rubber bushing with the sleeve, so the sleeve and the bolt spin freely in 1 piece.


Some of the method I tried:
1. locking clamp pliers trying to hold the sleeve when turning the bolt.

However pliers didn't provide enough grip....

2. C-clamp trying to push the bolt out

I basically bent the little lever on the c-clamp but there is no sign of movement.

[yorkee]

Originally Posted by mytrplseven

I'd recommend cutting the end of the shock with an angle grinder in several places to expose the bolt. Kinda like peeling an onion. Basically taking the end of it apart from the outside. You could also cut the bolt off at the shock with the grinder with a cutting disc and then replace the bolt with a new one.

pita but that's probably what I end up doing....... however, what to do with the top bolt?

[v2rocket_aka944]

have you tried using a jack to slightly compress the shock (not the arm) to take the weight off that bolt?

[dgcantrell]

If you have time to let it sit, just spray some penetrating lube on it (I means SLATHER it good) and let it cook a while. Then put the nut back on it till there are no threads showing on the bolt. Hold a piece of hard wood against the nut and give a few good whacks with a small sledge hammer. The wood might split but it will shield the nut and threads from damage. Once you get the bolt broken loose from the sleeve, remove the nut and peck the bolt the rest of the way out being careful not to damage the threads.

When you're putting it back together, be sure to put some anti-seize compound (I swear by they stuff) on the bolt before putting in the sleeve on the new shock. YOU may be the PDB that has to take it back apart someday. LOL

[Screaming_sick]

Honestly? I would just drill through the whole damn bolt.

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[944 Ecology]

Sawzall, with Torch Blade. Cut through the bolt on both sides of the shock, then use an hydraulic press to press out the shaft of the bolt from the shock.

[MistaX]

I just did this a couple weeks ago. I jacked up the suspension to take the weight off the bolt. Hit it with a hammer and it popped right out.

[yorkee]

I had all the weapons line up last night. torch, pb blaster, air hammer, sawzall, angle grinder/ dramel... I even bought 4 new bolts just to get ready to cut the old one.

Before I even start with the first weapon, decided to take out my 20 lbs BFH and give it a few swing... guess what, it move a few mm!!!

hammering it back and forth about 4 or 5 times soaking it with pb blaster in between with a smaller BFH get the bolt out.

Didn't even need the list of weapons I prepared.

Looks like religously soak the bolt with pb blaster since I start this thread really help.

Thanks for all the ideas!..

[pfarah]

I removed the top bolt first, then the bottom one came out easy peasy...