this post was submitted on 06 Jul 2023
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I am working on my integra's front suspension, but 3 bolts are rust welded. My impact gun managed to get one off, but the others wont budge. I hit them so much that the impact bit got too hot to the touch. Sprayed with penetrating fluid, hit it with a hammer etc.

My only other option is heat, but the problem is, that it's a wheel well and it traps heat, not to mention there is a brake hose which is very close to the area I will be heating.

How can I contain my propane torch heat to this specific bolt without damaging other areas?

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[–] RightHandOfIkaros 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Soak them overnight in penetrant and then use the biggest breaker bar you can find. 36 or 48 inch, usually 3/4 or 1 inch drive.

You could also try cutting a notch and using an air chisel to try and vibrate the rust loose while spinning the bolt.

Remember, left is loose, right is tight.

EDIT: Also, what impact are you using? Cordless half inch? Pneumatic 1 inch? What's its reverse torque?

Also, depending on how parts have worn, you can try using a floorjack under the wheel to try and relieve some pressure on the bolt. Not a lot of lift is needed, but sometimes bushings go bad and the suspension locks its own bolts in.

[–] DominicHillsun 2 points 1 year ago

DeWalt DCF922, 320ft-lbs I will try using the floorjack

[–] TempleSquare 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Left is loose, right is right. And orientation flips psychologically when the nut points toward the ground.

Not going to say how I learned that the hard way...

[–] DominicHillsun 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I always hated that expression of left is loose, right is tight. Bolt is not a line, it's a spiral.

Clockwise to tighten (numbers on clock go bigger) Counterclockwise to untighten (numbers on clock go smaller)

[–] RightHandOfIkaros 1 points 1 year ago

If that scares you, wait until you find out about left-hand thread bolts. For those bolts, left is tight and right is loose.