Getting the shocks off

[drifts135]

Alright so I was pulling my old springs/shocks out last night to put in my coilovers. I got hung up on my rear driver side lower shock mount bolt. I used everything to get it off but it wouldn't budge. Then at one point the metal on the nut actually move over the edges make the edges rounded and thicker, so the right sockets wouldn't even fit on, nor could I use larger than normal sockets. After a bunch of us tried to remove it, it basically became a cylinder now.

Does anyone have recommendations on how to get it off? I'm willing to cut it off and just go to the junkyard to pick up a new one but I don't knock which cutting device to use. Also, are there any air tools I could use still to get the bolt off and keep it intact?

Thanks.

[yokotas13]

best idea would be to get vicegrips, clamp hard and remove

second choice would be a dremel tool with the black fiberglass cutting wheel

[Ghost Dancer]

I've ran into that problem. I fixed it by welding a bar to the friggin' bolt:)

[TipStylez]

^friggen brilliant.

[drifts135]

best idea would be to get vicegrips, clamp hard and remove

second choice would be a dremel tool with the black fiberglass cutting wheel
Tried vice grips. Attached the vice grips, tightened the lower screw on the vice grips with a wrench, then attached an 8 foot pipe to the end of the vice grips and pushed on the closest, middle, and farthest end of the pipe. All it did was pop the vice grips off. (the reason why I hate vice grips)

The dremel tool was the next option I was going with.

[yokotas13]

get the vice grips tight before you put them on, then take channel locks to tighten it on the nut, or a clamp works also. yuo need ti to be damn near mipossible to put the vicegrips on short of a hernia.....i do it all the tiem to aircraft

[drifts135]

Just tightened the vice grips with a channel wrench and got it freakishly tight.....and the vice grips still slipped.

[NIK90s13]

I've ran into that problem. I fixed it by welding a bar to the friggin' bolt:)
This or torch it off. A little gass and two seconds.

[drifts135]

If I had any sort of access to a torch that is what I would do.

[NIK90s13]

saws all(sp)
I'm not trying to give you generic answers, but the nut is hammered. A sawsall with a metal blade will get through it , it will take a wile, but it will work.

[drifts135]

Dremmel tool would probably be better because a sawzall is just too big to use and can't cut in at the angle I would need to cut at.

[S14DB]

4" angle grinder

[shayrgob240]

wow! I can't believe you're still having this prob bro. Why not just go buy a torch? it might come in handy again sometime.

[drifts135]

Yep still having problems. I'm debating whether or not I should bring it to the local shop just down the road or not and just have them remove the bolt and put on a new one lightly for me so I can remove it easily when I get home to put my rear coilovers on. The only problem is I have no clearance in the front as the car sits now so they'd have a problem working on it. I dunno.....

[aznpoopy]

get craftsman bolt out.

its a spiral tap specifically made for taking off rounded bolts. it has spiral threads on its inner surface that cut into the bolt and hold on for dear life while you turn it out. you can get it at sears.

definitely get a new bolt afterwards.

[ManoNegra]

^+1 only ~$20 too for the kit and come in handy. Grinder would be better than a dremmel aswell - I'd do that If you have access to one. Nuts are free at junkyards.

[drifts135]

^+1 only ~$20 too for the kit and come in handy. Grinder would be better than a dremmel aswell - I'd do that If you have access to one. Nuts are free at junkyards.
They're free at Home Depot as well. :) Thanks this is the exact tool I was hoping to hear of in existence.