Well I got the retaining nut off of the bolt, but the bolt is stuck in the metal sleeve in the old bushing. This is my DD so I cant cut the old bolt out unless i have replacement....which i don't. The space behind the bracket is to small to fit a hammer in it. I'm out of sheet steel or else I would fab up a new bracket and remove this one. What do people recommend?

Thanks everyone

 

Stay cool. It is normal. Remove the wheel and with a BFH hit the bracket hard where it makes a sort of belly and it will pop out. Don't hit the bar or the bolt.

 

PB BLASTER.....nothing eles.....

 

So hit the side of the bracket facing the tire? I think the sleeve is spinning in the bushing because i can spin the bolt slowly but not free it up even though the nut is off.

 

Try getting a screwdriver/small pry bar under the bolt head and prying it outward while turning the bolt. That usually works for me.
Dan

 

Are you talking about the axle side?? sorry forget what i said... PB blaster...

 

Axle end right?

Yep, and once the bolt threads catch the brackets through-hole it'll help walk it out. These bolts can be a pain..

Another thing you can try is to have someone sit in the car, turn the wheel slightly to relieve pressure so you can pull it out. Sometimes a closed end wrench with your fingers behind the bolt head is enough grip to walk it out.

 

Good tip.

 

That little space between the bracket and the axle. I'll try a crowbar or something with the impact wrench. The impact wrench isn't even turning the bolt, thats how stuck it is. I soaked it in liquid wrench for the last 24hours.

Thanks for the quick responses!

 

Pick up a can of PB Blaster... it's superior for rust breakage. Keep it for the tougher stuff.

Try taking the impact socket and a heavy hammer to the bolt head.. that can help break the bond if heavily corroded in there also. Then try the impact.

How did you get the flag nut out if the bolt doesnt turn?

 

There is no space between the bracket and the bolt head.

 

The bolt turns really slowly with a lot of resistance. I think the sleeve has separated from the bushing. The only thing that moves the bolt is a 24inch breaker bar. the impact wrench doesn't even move it.

 

Well after 3 hours and a mouth full of PB Blaster i just said screw it ill go get a 10.9 metric bolt from the hardware store and some sawzal blades. now to my next problem.... the holes of bracket are warped about 1-2mm on both sides. So what do I do to fix this?

 

hit them back into shape with a hammer, I ran into the same issues with my shock bolts, I bent the hell out of the bracket trying to smack the bolt out with a hammer..

add MAPP gas to your tool arsenal and get an angle grinder for the bolt if you cut it.

 

There isn't enough material to hammer it back. I'm hesitant to use the grinder because I don't want to damage the bracket but i'll try.

I was thinking of getting some washers and welding them to the bracket. Would that work??