torque strut mount siezed

[lmcd314]

i went to replace my torque strut mount but it appears as though the vertical bolt is seized to the mount, i have soaked it in PB and have used an impact with no luck, now the bolt is becoming rounded off, it seems to be spinning in the top nut easily. i have been reading around, but i need more info, do i need to drill the whole bolt out?

[Sponsor]

[iminhell]

Jack the engine up slightly.

[ManiacalZX3]

If you can somehow put some heat on it that could be all you need but, I know not a lot of people dont have access to a torch. Some of my mechanic friends will swear by letting some aerokroil (stuff is great but expensive) soak in to the treads over night. Then hit it with an impact gun but at a low power slow hit. They say that it helps rattle the rust free but it can take a while. I've tried it and I think it works.

[elsolo]

Originally Posted by lmcd314

it seems to be spinning in the top nut easily.

What does that mean?

The top nut is captive, it should not move, only the bolt should move.
If the exposed threads on the bolt can be moved in the nut; but the bolt head cannot rotate just as freely and in the same range of motion, the bolt is broken.

[lmcd314]

Originally Posted by elsolo

What does that mean?

The top nut is captive, it should not move, only the bolt should move.
If the exposed threads on the bolt can be moved in the nut; but the bolt head cannot rotate just as freely and in the same range of motion, the bolt is broken.

Spinning IN the top bolt. As in the bolt is free from the nut. But the nut is stationary. My bad

[lmcd314]

Originally Posted by ManiacalZX3

If you can somehow put some heat on it that could be all you need but, I know not a lot of people dont have access to a torch. Some of my mechanic friends will swear by letting some aerokroil (stuff is great but expensive) soak in to the treads over night. Then hit it with an impact gun but at a low power slow hit. They say that it helps rattle the rust free but it can take a while. I've tried it and I think it works.

I have a small propane torch, but I think it might just melt the rubber in the mount. I guess it wont matter since i have a new one.

[sgtsmasher]

Originally Posted by lmcd314

Spinning IN the top bolt. As in the bolt is free from the nut. But the nut is stationary. My bad

then like he said above the bolt is broken...and in that case you might as well find a big hammer and go to town...

[lmcd314]

Originally Posted by sgtsmasher

then like he said above the bolt is broken...and in that case you might as well find a big hammer and go to town...

Nothing is broken, the center vertcal bolt is stuck in the mount. That is all.

[sailor]

If the bolt is turning in the captive nut, without backing out, the threads of the bolt &/or nut are striped - probably from the bolt being "frozen" in the spacer of the strut bushing.

This will be a project to remove, as cutting it out is the only way to get it apart.

Good luck with it.

[joecicalese]

I had the same exact problem. I just took the whole bracket off and worked on it in a vice. It came out eventually. If you're already rounding the head of the bolt though you might try and find a new bolt from Ford.