Removing stubborn bolts / nuts?

[225]

I'm working on a 4x4 van project. The radius arm nuts are straight up stuck.

They're not rusty, just real tight. I can't get to them with an impact. I'm trying not to cut them off with my plasma, but that's next.

I won't be re-using the bolts. If that helps.

Will a propane torch help? I'm out of ideas.

 

[RedneckWelder]

We heat stuck bolts with an oxy-acetylene torch to make them release. Junk afterwards but gets them out quick and easy

Why not cut them off if the fasteners are junk and it’s a bolt secured by a nut?

 

[225]

Why not cut them off if the fasteners are junk and it’s a bolt secured by a nut?

Yes. They are going to be trashed afterwards. I guess I'll cut them off then. I'll try a cutting disc.

 

[MountaineerMiner]

In my experience, if that propane is not accompanied with oxygen it will have little effect. Without seeing your specific application I can’t recommend anything, but straight propane or mapp gas has not really helped me in the past on stuck nuts.

Put oxygen to that and It’s a different story. Get it glowing and **** starts to move.

 

[lis2323]

In my experience, if that propane is not accompanied with oxygen it will have little effect. Without seeing your specific application I can’t recommend anything, but straight propane or mapp gas has not really helped me in the past on stuck nuts.

Put oxygen to that and It’s a different story. Get it glowing and **** starts to move.

Agreed. Don’t even waste your time with propane -only.


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[MountaineerMiner]

Seeing your in Asheville, is this a California van? I’m in Bristol and we still get rusted suspension components in the region, but not like the north east. If it’s “not rusted” have you exhausted all other options such as using a cheater bar or torque multiplyer?

 

[WittHay]

Usually with bolts going through rubber suspension bushings, you try to get them to turn before you cut them off. There is always a biiger impact gun to use or a longer cheater. Some heat with a oxy torch helps get the nut off but the bolt has to come out also.

 

[225]

Seeing your in Asheville, is this a California van? I’m in Bristol and we still get rusted suspension components in the region, but not like the north east. If it’s “not rusted” have you exhausted all other options such as using a cheater bar or torque multiplyer?

It's a little rusty, but 20 years old. I'm removing all the suspension to make way for a F-250 axle.

I don't have a cutting torch, just plasma. I'm probably just gonna have to cut the heads off the bolts. I swear, this van has been fighting me every little step.

Everything but the pitman arm has to go:

 

[thesilverone]

thats not rusty

 

[MountaineerMiner]

I too acquired a plasma before a “real” torch. If I could trade my plasma for a torch as my first purchase I would all day, much more useful.

4x4 van is bad *** by the way. I mountain bike a lot and have wanted to build up a badass camper/bike shuttle 4x4 diesel van.


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[Wamsutta]

Mapp gas is supposed to be hotter than propane; I've never tried it though.

 

[unslow1]

Mapp gas is supposed to be hotter than propane; I've never tried it though.

Mapp is not sold anywhere anymore as far as I know. They have something called Mapp Pro that is only marginally better than propane.

Got any buddies with a portable torch set? You will probably need it more than once on that project. I got tired of messing around a couple of years ago and bought one. They are $200-300. Well worth it. I pretty much only use it for removing stuck wheels and bolts.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

thats not rusty

My thought exactly; looks pristine compared to PA cars.




Are the nuts the ones for the rearmost body mount, where the two bushings are? I would just cut those off if that's your issue, plenty wide open to chop them. Without a real torch to make it glow, if your maximum cheater-pipe has already failed, you're done with options.

 

[225]

I too acquired a plasma before a “real” torch. If I could trade my plasma for a torch as my first purchase I would all day, much more useful.

4x4 van is bad *** by the way. I mountain bike a lot and have wanted to build up a badass camper/bike shuttle 4x4 diesel van.

My van has a 7.3 diesel. And she rolls some coal.


Ok, so I'm an idiot. I didn't realize, until later that the nuts on the inside of the bracket are freaking welded to the bracket. I cut off one of the heads and still had to remove it.

My solution, weld another bolt to it.

2WD suspension all gone. She's going 4WD tomorrow.

Sorry for the thread ending up with me not knowing what I was doing.

 

[Professional Tool User]

It will depend on how big your propane torch is. If it's one of the big ones that look like they are for Acetylene, then yes.