I was changing my LCAs today, ran into a few stubborn bolts and broken tools but nothing too serious until i finish the passenger side and go to the driver side. ..

The ball joint nut isn't a castle nut, big deal right. .. I go to take it off w/ 3/4 open end wrench and feel it moving, but it was actually stripping. So i go to the other side of the hub to get at it from a different angle. When i started turning it it felt like the bolt was made of clay . So i get out my vice grips, mark a spot on the bolt so i can see how much it moves and get a good REALLY tight grip on it and take the 4 lb hammer and tap it, tapping it pretty lightly. It starts moving and i open the vice grips. .. Super stripped, like it was made outta puddy...


Should i get a hacksaw and go to town with it at the bottom of the nut? use a drill bit on it?? Or should i chaulk it up as a loss and take it to the shop and have them remove it ??

I'd cut it.

I would use a cut off wheel, why work hard. Just dont go to deep and you should be fine.

Definitely. If ya have a grinder, cut it then replace the bolt. If not, then borrow one.

Don't have a grinder, can i rent one from Home Depot? I'll go after work, i need to get some hacksaw blades anyways.

10 or 20 dollars will get you a cheap angle grinder. After you have it you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.

....hmm, I'm gonna be working in my apartment complex parking lot and I'm already pushing the envelope with the other auto work i do. I'll see if I can hack it off first. Thanks

People, seriously, use the right tools!

Open end wrench, you must be kidding me....

thanks for that bud. what should i have used? unless i removed the axle cant get a socket on there, right? I've searched and quite a few people use the same method i did. i changed the first one fine but the driver side one was changed a couple years back and the shop i had do it obviously pressed the ball joint out and pressed the new one in. Maybe tranny fluid deteriorated? either was my buddy has a grinder and im gonna get busy with it this weekend.

if have any suggestions of an easier i am very open for assistance, especially since i might be changing the bushings .... please

Quote:
Originally Posted by B_Eaze
I go to take it off w/ 3/4 open end wrench

People, seriously, use the right tools!

Open end wrench, you must be kidding me....


>>>>> i cant see that even being the right size. LOL maybe a 19mm???

u didnt read my first post, that ball joint was replaced at a shop when i first got my car, they musta thru on whatever ball joint they could find. my passenger side was a castle nut like its suppose to be, i think it was 7/8. that side went fine. i went to the driver side and my 7/8 was way bigger than the nut. i look at the nut ands Its an small, ugly rusted bolt.

Total the car....

... hopefully it doesn't come down to that

I say if to don't have a grinder use a sawzall they are great. Just gets metal cutting blade and it'll cut through like butter . Most people have one if you don't I'm sure someone you know does. I've used them many times to remove stripped bolts befor I got a grinder. And I gotta say the sawzall was faster. Good luck

go to menards. buy the tool shop angle grinder as someone else suggested then return it

got this from a friend...



I'll put it to work tomorrow