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[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]

WTF.... I bought a Ractive front upper strut bar, and now I can't get the 3 bolts off on the strut towers.... [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/IMG]

WTF? This is like one of the easiest DIYs yet I can't do it.... I bought a cheap $10 rachet set, and when I applied all my weight into it (turning counter clockwise), the stupid thing about stripped the nut!!!

WTF.... How stiff are they supposed to be? I'd feel like an idiot if I had to pay money to get someone to help me install this..

Any suggestions? Someone suggested that I try WD40 on the bolts first.......

 
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get yourself a good ratchet set (like craftsman) and get a long handle so you can get leverage... they shouldnt be that tight...

 
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go to the store and get some ELBOW GREASE!!!

 
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use your muscles, it will come off, just work on it.

INJEN

 
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yea its pretty hard to take those off. try to use WD-40 . worked out for me

 
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damm dude i fu*ken hate bolts!!!!! i have this fear of striping them.....i know am weird

 
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They're only on there with 33 ft-lbs. It shouldn't take all that much. (6" rachet handle, apply 66 lbs. if you're putting all your weight into it, you must be a real light weight.)
Are you using METRIC sockets? Cuz if youre using English, you probably have a socket that's too big and you're just ripping up the bolt.
Righty tighty, lefty loosey. Sounds like you've got that part down.
When it's on, torque it down to 33 ft-lbs (it's like 1/3-1/2 a turn past tight). Don't go too far, or you'll bust the threads up.

 
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If you're smart, you'll be putting them on with a torque wrench. Use that same wrench to take them off.

 
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some one needs there oats today...

 
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haha. maybe try pounding it with a hammer or something. just make sure it's a METRIC socket and you're turning it counter clockwise and you won't strip the nut

 
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Get a nice long pipe to fit over the handle of your socket wrench (or breaker bar). This will give you some extra leverage to loosen it (gently!).

....and DO NOT use a pipe/breaker bar to tighten the nuts back up.

 
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Jack the car up so the front wheels are JUST off the ground...this will relieve some pressure on the struts and make it easier to take off.

 
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.....Wheaties man Wheaties

 
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Uh, far as I know you should only use a torque wrench to tighten not to losen. Something about screwing up the calibration.

I say you need to use the force or by liquid wrench. Using the force in is cheeper just rember to avoid the pull to the dark side(using standard tools).[IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG]

 
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certain torque wrenches can be used to loosen. the ratchet type generally can.

 
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How long is the handle of that rachet? If it's like 4" long, then you might have a problem. Mine smallest one is 8" and I can take off those bolts without a problem. The car has like 16,000 miles and it's still not a problem to take them off. You're stripping the bolt? The socket you're using is probably not the right size. It's metric, so make sure it fits very snugly. There should be no movement with the socket on the nut. Well, okay... Maybe a tiny bit of movement.

 
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hmm mine came off ok.... oh well.. just make sure they're torqued down when done[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]