Rep Power: 0

I read as many posts on changing struts as I could and low and behold I went to loosen the lower strut mounting bolt and the head broke off!!!!I heard of the pinch bolts braking but not this one.I really did not even apply that much pressure to it!Now something else I saw was the nut is welded to the strut assy. from factory.So the bolt is stuck in the nut.I tried to heat it with a small propane torch and put vise grips on the end that is sticking out of the nut with no luck!!Afraid to heat it up too much cause the rubber bushing started to smoke.Now what?The strut should not go anywhere.I was just getting prepared and do not have the new struts yet.Hopeing to just loosen things up.I am afraid if I use a big torch I will ruin the bushing.What happens if the bolt on the control arm to the knuckle breaks?I don't want to have to replace the bushings too.Please help. thanks

 
Rep Power: 284

Cut the bolt welded to the strut off and you'll be able to punch the bolt through, replace that with a new bolt and nut until you get the new struts.

 
Rep Power: 366

did you apply PB blaster? they do miracles (for the remaining ones, i mean)

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks-Do new struts come with a welded on nut?What if the bolt is seized to the metal sleeve in the bushing?What about the lower control arm bolt.Scared to even try that one.Should I get a torch and try to got that route before trying to loosen.If I break that one off I will have a bigger headeche for sure.Just read a thread on here where that happened to someone else and could be an expensive repair.

 
Rep Power: 366

they are not welded to the strut, but to the arms

PB last

PB Blast

 
Rep Power: 0

thanks,but the nut is welded on the part of the strut that connects to the control arm on my OEM struts

 
Rep Power: 366

huuuunh... can't remember any welded nut to the struts... Which year car? they have differences between a 01-02 to 03 and to 04-05?


Edit: for some reason, i thought yours was a 7th gen... 6th gen is different... fugget my comments... Duh!

 
Rep Power: 366

sorry, that was a different car... memory failing before 40 year old...

loggin off now for brain refreshing...
PB Blast comments still stands :P

 
Rep Power: 0

Just got some input from an experienced mechanic.Said this is a common problem and he usually prices the job out with a new control arm and or usually has to cut the strut off and replace the bushing.I'm just concerned now if I try and loosen the other bolt on the end of the control arm and break that off, I'm screwed since that is in the knuckle/break drum assy.

 
Rep Power: 0

weld another bolt to the part thats sticking out if possible and it may come out just my 2 cent