Hi, this is 2004 Maxima and I need help to remove a broken bolt. It is the inner bolt of the two bolts attaching the control arm to the front suspension member. There is about half an inch of bolt sticking through the top of the suspension member where I can grab with vise grips. After copious PB Blaster it still won't move. It is too close to the bushing attaching the suspension member to the chassis to apply heat.
If I use only one bolt the bracket might tend to twist when there is lateral force such as acceleration or braking. Any ideas on extracting that bolt or is there another solution?

 

Post a picture.

 

The threaded portion of the bolt is stuck in the suspension member above the control arm with half an inch sticking above I can grab with vise grips.

 

 

The bolt is broken where my finger nail is. The portion above is inside the suspension member with the half inch unthreaded portion sticking above for vice grips.

 

Ok cool. Doesn't look that bad. You need to drill a series of holes through the bolt shaft. I would start small and drill in three steps/increasingly larger bits. This will relieve tension on the bolt. Get a nice big extractor and go from there. Get a good, sharp (sharp is key) punch to start your pilot hole. Sucks working upside down but I don't know of any other way to attack this.

 

Here's another wrinkle. I've got the bolt wiggling just a little but not like it wants to go further. It feels like the nut built into the member is moving. I'll let you know what happens.

 

Rust is a B i t c h.

 

Bolt extracted from top of suspension member. Using vice grips. Bottom grinded down first to remove any damaged threads. Mission accomplished.

 

You lucky dog.