Rear struts one bolt. I did one side then proceeded and the other one stripped and had to withdraw. That bolt looks clamped in and catches the screw when tightning or loosening. No space to put vicescrips to stop it from spinning.

 

It sounds like you broke a welded nut loose. Can you wedge a screw driver in along side it to keep it from spinning?

 

The welded nut is stripped. I did not try yet with screw driver

 

spray it good (PB blaster) then wedge something in there like DM said. It'll come down to creativity. Can you cut it? You're going to end up with a regular nut/lock washer anyway and a new bolt. This is the stuff that never gets covered in YouTube videos. Good luck.

 

Funny, I just answered this for someone else a week back... Here you go!

I had the same problem when I changed the rear struts on my '97 I30. I had to cut the suspension pins because I stripped the nuts while trying to remove with impact. I used the Harbor Freight multi function tool (http://www.harborfreight.com/oscilla...8861-8493.html) with the metal plunge cutting blade to cut through the pin. As I recall, space was limited, and that was the only tool that would fit. It took forever, and I went through 5 metal blades as the suspension pin is pretty thick! Courtesy Nissan has the replacement pins and nuts for around $20. Hope this helps...

 

You have to get carbide tipped blades. The one that comes with it says it cuts metal, but only soft metal. And it doesn't last very long on soft metal, either.

 

You need to buy this:
This is the method that worked for me when I was replacing my 16 year old, Canadian winter battered, rear struts:

Soak the bottom bolt with PB for a few days then brush away any loose rust.

If still possible, position the nut so two of the flat sides are almost facing to the sky and to the ground (I forget the exact orientation). Then clamp on the vice grips as tight as possible. There is just enough room to get a good clamp. You should be able to hold the nut and hit the head of the bolt with an impact gun. Start slowly in case the bolt has fused to the metal sleeve, but it should eventually break free.

Using this method, I was able to save the nut retaining pins as I knew those would either break or damage the nut if I just impacted the head of the bolt.