Broken and stuck lower strut mount bolt

Harobikes167 · June 30, 2019

2015 Silverado 1500 LT Z71- So I’m currently trying to put a leveling kit on and this happened.. been trying for a few hours to get it loose, no luck. The bolt broke when I was trying to take it off.. tried extractor bits, drilling it out (it’s just ruining the hole in the lower control arm) tried heating it up and turning it out with vice grips, tightened the upper bolts up and beat on the lower control arm to just pull the arm down, penetrating oil.. please help lol see pics and before someone brings it up, the strut looked that bad before I applied heat

1SLOW1500 · June 30, 2019

So many idea coming to mind. Favorite are car jack with a piece of rod on that point and press up the weight of the truck and the strut spring should do it. More red wrench. Drill it out. Or hydraulic press I have the 20ton, line it up click click pop.
Oh are you sure it is stuck in there. Now that i think about it are toy saying it is stuck in the clip? Because I would just use the cut off wheel,zip through the side and let it fall off.
Replace with new.

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STRMTRPR · June 30, 2019

..umm looks like you just snapped the head of the bolt off.. should be nothing holding it to the arm now

mitchely03 · June 30, 2019

Second this^^ looks like the clip is holding it on...

15KSChevy · June 30, 2019

You should be able to pry up on that foot the bolt runs through if you have the other side out already and it should come loose iwt

Harobikes167 · June 30, 2019

I have no idea what’s holding it in.. I’ve jacked up the whole knuckle to maybe get the LCA level so if the bolt was rubbing the side of the whole it would unbind.. nope. Tried beating like hell on the LCA with a sledge so the LCA/ knuckle etc would go down and the strut assembly would be held up by the top bolts..tried using a punch from the bottom and beating up with the sledge.. NO IDEA WHATS HOLDING THIS BASTARD IN lol also tried using leverage with a jack bar between the LCA and the strut. The clip is stuck solid on the bottom of the strut foot

Harobikes167 · June 30, 2019

56 minutes ago, 1SLOW1500 said:

So many idea coming to mind. Favorite are car jack with a piece of rod on that point and press up the weight of the truck and the strut spring should do it. More red wrench. Drill it out. Or hydraulic press I have the 20ton, line it up click click pop.
Oh are you sure it is stuck in there. Now that i think about it are toy saying it is stuck in the clip? Because I would just use the cut off wheel,zip through the side and let it fall off.
Replace with new.

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I don’t have a hydraulic press or cutting wheel unfortunately, plus I would like to keep the top clip/ bolt piece because nobody around has them in stock and I need to drive to work Monday ? I’ll try using the jack and a punch to just jack up the bolt? Only idea so far (tomorrow, had enough of this today)

Racindave · June 30, 2019

My thoughts are if you jack up the frame and let a arm hang with the weight of the wheel it should let go. I don’t think that there threads in the hole holding the strut down just gravity....

when i put my leveling kit in I didn’t even take the wheel off. Just disconnected sway bar and jacked up the frame. Un did the strut and slid in block.

Leave the top of the strut connected

Edited June 30, 2019 by Racindave

Snowcamo · June 30, 2019

Heat it then use a mix 50/50 finger nail polish remover and trans fluid. The remover will creep through and break the rust an trans fluid will follow and lubricate. This wil catch flame so keep water handy. If that doesnt work an air chisel will vibrate the rust loose no prob.

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1SLOW1500 · June 30, 2019

I vote anything that uses the weight of truck and power of the spring to work it lose. I have a 4 foot pry bar and get it under the shock body and arm. Or as said let the arm hang and and even a 2x4 on rotor and dead bow hamper hit it so the arm tries to get lower and puts all the pressure on that bolt.
I understand saving the clip. But do you already have a new bolt? You can always get grade 8 but and bolt at hardware stores.

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Donstar · June 30, 2019

Your story has an uncanny resemblance to front shock replacement experience I had prior to internet help! My solution was drilling and the cost of bits was higher than I would have spent for a professional install! I am not advocating for drilling and I am confident 1slow1500 can walk you work through this set-back. However, if the prospect of needing your truck for work tomorrow or sheer frustration is causing you to take uncomfortable risks then seek and hire the assistance of a local professional. My guess is that a mobile welding contractor would have a quick resolution to your problem.

1SLOW1500 · June 30, 2019

Many DIY mechanics as scared to get the hammer out and really hit it. As I said worst case go to auto store and get a tool that presses out the bolt. I have a few I modified by cutting them or grinding so they fit. Soak it and put the bearing removal tool on it largest wrench you have and then hit the arme or shock body with a hammer. This way you are attacking it 3 or 4 ways.
You have to think a garage or dealer would not take this long on it. Yes they have more tools but they go heavy quick.

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Jacoby · June 30, 2019

Go buy a cutting wheel or a dremel and cut that thing out of there. Your leveling kit doesn’t reuse the stock hardware anyways so no need to try and save any parts.

thewhitestallion · June 30, 2019

Like someone said earlier, if you are doing a level kit then you do not re-use that metal clip. However, I don't know where you are located at, but I still have my clips from when I leveled my truck years ago. If you are in the Houston area by chance I would be willing to let you have one if you could replace it when you get a chance. PM me or quote me so I get a notification in case I'm not on here anymore.