those things are stuck on there good....i removed the upper strut bolt but the steering knuckle bolts are impossible, i took it to the shop and asked them how much they would charge to just swap the new ones in for me and they said $120....thats a little steep! how the hell can i get those loose...i dont own a lift so its hard gettin at the bolts from underneath...any ideas?

 

funny..usually its the other way around. Most everyone has a hell of a time getting the top nut off. For the two lower bolts, use a vice-grip on the rear nut and position it so that it will wedge against something while you turn the bolt in front. Use a bigger torque wrench. If that doesn't work, and you don't know anyone w/ air tools, take it to a shop and have them break the bolt free w/ an air tool, hand tighten them, put your wheels back on, drive it home and then continue.

 

Oh jeez!!!! I nearly forgot: While your car is on jack stands, use a hydraulic jack under your control arms, just beneathe where the springs sit. Jack it up a few inches to take most of the pressure off those bolts. Then retry it. Be careful after you remove the strut bolts; your hydraulic jack will be the only thing preventing those control arms from slamming down and your springs flying out under tremndous pressure.

 

Try some penetrant & let soak a while, & then just grit your teeth & strain.

Just before I did mine last year, a friend mentioned it was real hard for one person to do it.

I managed it, but I would recommend leaving the top nut on except loose until you break both of the knuckle nuts loose.l

 

heh, my shop teacher loosened them, hes a pretty big guy...then i just took it home and did them myself...no penetrating oil required...and only took me 30 minutes to do...not bad for just a jack and some jack stands

 

Did you hit any curbs? I had a hell of a time removing a strut bolt from my knuckle- I bent the knuckle on a curb. Finally got the bolt out by hammering it out- when it was out, I rolled the bolt on the garage floor- it was bent.

Although- the nut came off easily... you couldn't budge either. Nevermind!

 

put a box end wrench on the backside, jam it against somethingv solid like the control arm.

Use a breaker bar on the front side, with a pipe over the handle for more leverage.

 

I had the same experience as the one who started thsi post. Top bolts all too easy. Used a pipe over a 1/2" wrench and all my weight to break the bottoms loose.

 

1/2" electric impact gun they came right off. Just did them yesterday.

 

I used a 1/2" breaker bar and a socket with a 4 foot piece of pipe for an extension, thats what it took to get mine off, it was a PITA. I broke 2 ratchets and a breaker bar. it was worth it though, feels like a new car.

 

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