Hey guys just wanted to run this by y'all, and maybe brainstorm / get some ideas:

I'm redoing the suspension on my 98 XJ, and went to take the bottom bolts off of my passenger side front shock but the bottom nut that is closest to the front of the vehicle is stripped. Its a nasty rusty, PB blaster soaked, mess under there.
I'm pretty sure I stripped that nut when I rushed, and blindly put a socket on it, and tried to get it off.
I've already got the sway bar disconnected, the top nut on the shock off, and the other bottom shock nut / bolt off. I've also got the coil retainer clip loosened and out of the way. Only thing left is the bolt that has the bottom stripped nut.

My initial thought is lowering the axle, pulling the coil spring out to make room, and giving it a valiant attempt of trying to fit an angle grinder in, or maybe a dremel. And then cutting off that right side of the bar pin so i can remove the shock entirely. Then using angle grinder or dremel, and taking the bot head off which I believe would allow the bolt to fall.

I'm definitely open, and would greatly appreciate, any other thoughts or ideas.

and if it matters, all the suspension / parts are stock (old), and the new parts are for the "Up-Country" suspension.

Thanks!

 

I see what your saying but your plan seems like a lot of work. If you remove the wheel can you get an air chisel on the top or bottom which ever is easier?

 

I'd try to fit an angle grinder and grind the head off from the top.

 

Got to be an easier way than what he purposes but then I've never had to do it.

 

Cut off head try giving it some heat and use a air chisel...that's what I had to do one mine

 

I would try a Dremel. Grind a slot across the top of the nut and bolt. Turn the nut if it moves and grind another slot. Split the nut off and remove the bolt. Grinding slots in the nut weakenes it, and hopefully it will come out in pieces. I had to do this for the top nut on the driver side. Took forever with the Dremel, but it did the job. The air grinder was way to big to get in there with the brake lines in the way.

 

The coils coming out anyways to be replaced, and the sway bar links were disconnected to let the axle drop.

do ya think an air chisel would be enough to simply knock the head of the bolt off?

All this happened pretty late last night, so I was wore out, and been at work all day. But I’m wondering if I could even get a angle grinder , or even a Dremel, near the head of the bolt, or the b’nut underneath.

Im gonna get a better look tonight hopefully, or tomorrow, depending on work schedule

thanks for the ideas provided, and any more that come too

 

You may come up with a better way after looking at it. With an air chisel you'll have the bar pin there so you shouldn't have to worry about damaging anything.

 

For anyone curious, I finally got it off. With work, weather, and family it took me a few days.

I inituLly tried an air chisel at the nut feib underneath. That was taking forever (could be because of my small compressor or harbor freight air hammer). Ultimately I took the coil out, it was being replaced anyways. I cut the shock off the bar pin / rubber bushing. Then cut the remainder of the bar pin off leaving just what was under the stuck bolt. I did all that with an angle grander. I then used a dremel and lopped the head off the bolt, used two seconds of an air chisel to knock the bolt through the hole. And she’s finally out. Thanks for those who commented.

pics may be out of order