Rear shock lower bolt question

[fastivaca]

I'm getting the Aspire rear axle prepped to install in my Festiva. The shocks were still on it when I brought it home. The bolts loosened from the captured nut so that's not an issue but it has siezed to the shock mount. I have cut the shock off the bolt and cut away the rubber so all that's left is the metal tube that was part of the shock and the bolt itself.

Any suggestions or hints on how I might "unsieze" the bolt? I've been soaking it with "Release-All" for a couple of days. If I have to cut it out then that's OK I was just hoping to salvage the bolts.

Thanks

[Festy46]

Heat the bushing with a torch should loosen it. Make sure you blow dry the area with an air hose before you start in case the Release All is flammable.

[TominMO]

If that doesn't do it, just hacksaw it off.

[WmWatt]

When I heat nuts with a propane torch I count to 60 slowly.

[Safety Guy]

So as I understand it, as you turn the bolt, the shock mount metal sleeve turns with it. You can also tell that the bolt is coming out of the captive nut.

One thing to make sure is that you don't keep turning the bolt. That will make it come out of the captive nut and if you go too far it will break that captive nut loose by pushing it into the axle arm interior. Not good!

I think that's how I ruined a perfectly good Aspire rear axle. I didn't understand how it all worked at that time.

I'd tend to favor Tom's hacksaw method. That way you're not messing with turning the bolt at all. Not saying the heat method won't work, mind you. I don't think you'll have any problems getting new(er) bolts.

Karl

[big_ty2003]

cut them off it is only like $4 for new bolts.

[roycehof]

This is a perfect application for the "heat wrench". If the axle beam is out of the car, take the cutting torch to the metal around the bushing. The bushing will burn but it doesn't matter. While the bushing sleeve is still hot, impact the bolt out. Works every time. Just have some water around in case that rubber bushing wants to keep burning - they tend to stink up the garage. Of course you'll loose the strut, but I figure you can't win them all - struts are easily available.

[fastivaca]

Thanks to all for your input. Just got both sides out without having to cut the bolts! A little bit of heat, a little bit of "Release-All", a little bit of impact wrench and a little prayer did the trick.

Ian

[walth]

congrats!! 2 for 2!!