Uh oh! Broke bolt for tension strut

[swenard]

Okay, So I decided to change my tension struts myself. It didn't seem very hard. Using the spreader tool to remove the bolt from the hub was nearly impossible and since I have never done this before I just kept tightening the spreader tool thinking it was supposed to be this tough. I heard a snap and it appeared the bolt had now released. However, when I started turning the nut, which I had left at the end of the bolt (as per instructions) I had realized that the bolt was in fact broken, as the nut turns and turns without threading off of the bolt. I have no idea how the bolt would have broken but it has. Now I can't take the tension strut bolt out and can't get the nut off. Any ideas?

[Hemi31]

nut splitter to remove the nut then hammer out the stud,you are talking on the ball joint end right?

[swenard]

Yes, at the ball joint.

I was just looking at the pic from the service manual and LOL. I think I might have been using the puller upside down.

[bigjim]

The stud has damaged threads, not broke. When you popped the stud free there is now no tension to hold the stud to thread the nut off, sometimes the nuts get a bit messed by the press. Sawzall off the stud and install the new tension strut, all will be ok. Just mind the other stuff around the part you are cutting.

[swenard]

That sounds like what is happening.

[swenard]

Well, I just watched a youtube video for a pulling tool. I was using it right! I'm happy, as I would have felt pretty stupid, lol.

In the morning I will go get a nut splitter, as I don't have a sawzall.

[bigjim]

When you do the other side, take the nut all the way off since you are not trying to preserve the threads for re-use and you won't have this issue. After you wind in some tension on the puller tool, hit the side of the casting (knuckle) about midway on the length of the stud and the stud will pop off alot easier than just using the puller. This works with any tapered fitting like ball joints and tierod ends.

[swenard]

Great! Thanks for the advice! I will try that on the other side. I'm now just waiting for the store to open, so I can go get a nut splitter.

[bigjim]

If you can't get a nut splitter, a dremel with a cut off wheel would be ok to cut the nut in two, cut to the stud on one side then again on the other and it will fall off.

[ChuckWagon]

Before cutting the nut off, try jacking up underneath the control arm to put resistance on the tapered part of the ball joint and then try loosening the nut. In watching Klarmie (Keith) work on my wifes car, I have seen the nut not come off until some pressure was applied from underneath to keep the tapered shaft from spinning. Once that was done, the nut came off right away. Good luck.
Just my .02

[swenard]

Drivers side:
4 hours
half dozen trips to the store
headache

Passenger side:
no trips to the store
35 minutes
Hit myself in the forehead with a hammer (don't ask)

FYI - If I had read one more step ahead in the service manual, I would have seen that it suggests to use an allen key to hold the stud while you tighten the nut. Of course that would have worked to remove it, too! There is an allen key hole in the bottom of the stud...

[ChuckWagon]

[QUOTE=swenard;2484525]

headache...


Hit myself in the forehead with a hammer (please ask)

QUOTE]











j/k...glad you got it done!

[BuckeyeRT]

I would really like to know more about the hammer to the head as well.
I have a clear cover on my front plate, last car wash broke it leaving one piece pointing down like a dagger as I was replacing my sway bushings i got out from under the car and it stabbed me in the forehead. blood everywhere. OK, now hammer story please?

[swenard]

Lol! I just came upon this thread I started nearly two years ago. I see you're asking about the hammer to the head. Well... I was trying to knock the ball joint loose and was hitting it with the hammer, it wouldn't come loose so I decided to try from a different angle and hit it from below. Needless to say, I missed the tension strut and instead hit myself, full swing, in the centre of my forehead.

[ChuckWagon]

Lol! I just came upon this thread I started nearly two years ago. I see you're asking about the hammer to the head. Well... I was trying to knock the ball joint loose and was hitting it with the hammer, it wouldn't come loose so I decided to try from a different angle and hit it from below. Needless to say, I missed the tension strut and instead hit myself, full swing, in the centre of my forehead.

Ouch!

Now...I'm still wondering how in the world you did that?