How to break weld-nuts loose?
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Mountains
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Well, extraction didn't work on the remnants of the rear high side shock bolts.
How do I break/remove the weld-nuts?
Yes, I know they're welded to the body.
How do I break/remove the weld-nuts?
Yes, I know they're welded to the body.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,661
Likes: 15
From: Smiths Station, Al
Year: 87
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: 4.0 I6
This is what I did start on post #19
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/showth...?t=3065&page=2
Some people bang them out with a punch and hammer then worm a wrench with a nut on it to the new holes and do it that way. I had no luck like that so I just cut the floor since I new it would be easy to fix.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/showth...?t=3065&page=2
Some people bang them out with a punch and hammer then worm a wrench with a nut on it to the new holes and do it that way. I had no luck like that so I just cut the floor since I new it would be easy to fix.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Mountains
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
MasterShakeXJ - I have no access to any sort of air tool. Going about this the hard way.
XJStryker - I've already cut the floor out over the bolts on the drivers side. No turning back now. Post #19 doesn't mention how you removed the weld nuts.
XJStryker - I've already cut the floor out over the bolts on the drivers side. No turning back now. Post #19 doesn't mention how you removed the weld nuts.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: tan house white shutters key's under the flower pot
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i know you said no air tools available, the best way is an air hammer and a punch, they're gone in 3 seconds. since you've already cut the floor, xjstryker is right, just a big breaker bar, just gotta gorilla fist them off to break the welds.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,661
Likes: 15
From: Smiths Station, Al
Year: 87
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: 4.0 I6
What would you not understand about this.
9 times out of 10 you will break the head off the bolts when replacing the rear shocks they used weak screws. He is asking the ways to get the weld nut off since it can be a real ***** to extract rusted bolts.
Pretty self explanatory!
9 times out of 10 you will break the head off the bolts when replacing the rear shocks they used weak screws. He is asking the ways to get the weld nut off since it can be a real ***** to extract rusted bolts.
Pretty self explanatory!
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Mountains
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Well my dad couldn't even break the nuts loose with a big breaker bar. He used to pitch for the Phillies and the bolts rounded out. We did use the correct socket size as well.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: tan house white shutters key's under the flower pot
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
can you cut them some how, maybe a torch. or try cutting slots in them and hitting with a chisel to break it apart.
if it makes you feel any better, you're having the hardest time i've ever heard of with these
if it makes you feel any better, you're having the hardest time i've ever heard of with these

CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,661
Likes: 15
From: Smiths Station, Al
Year: 87
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: 4.0 I6
I did have that problem with one of them and I had to cut it off with a dremel or Angle grinder w/ cutting disc. You have to make the hole bigger but it is doable.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 990
Likes: 4
From: Washington State
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
What would you not understand about this.
9 times out of 10 you will break the head off the bolts when replacing the rear shocks they used weak screws. He is asking the ways to get the weld nut off since it can be a real ***** to extract rusted bolts.
Pretty self explanatory!
9 times out of 10 you will break the head off the bolts when replacing the rear shocks they used weak screws. He is asking the ways to get the weld nut off since it can be a real ***** to extract rusted bolts.
Pretty self explanatory!
Can you drill them out so you can slip a bolt through?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 990
Likes: 4
From: Washington State
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 1
From: Mountains
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Well we got all the weld nuts off!!!!! Grinding, chisling, hammering... enough of it will have good outcome. 
Now I just need to know what bolts to get. I have Rough Country shocks (not the greatest, but they were in my budget).

Now I just need to know what bolts to get. I have Rough Country shocks (not the greatest, but they were in my budget).


