major problems with suspension install

[talon749]

wow I’m dumb, I always manage to mess up something when I try to install something new, ok first off I cant get the cup off the stock strut, I can spin it in place, but cant move it up and down for the life of me, I have $120 in my checking account and that is for alignment so I cant really buy any tools, also I stripped out my drivers side rear strut mounting bolt so that’s pretty messed up, I called all the local auto parts stores and they don’t have the 17mm stripped bolt removal tool, so I’m sitting here wondering what to do I would appreciate any advice, my tools are very limited to basic wrenches, and sockets, even my hammer broke trying to beat the hell out of the stock strut PLEASE HELP ME!!!! If anyone in the Peoria IL region would help it would be greatly appreciated

 

[niceeclipse_rs9]

If you can spin the cup but can't remove it, then you have a rusted metal sleeve sitting on top of the cup assembly. You can try lubing the sleeve with pb blaster, but ultimately you will have to cut (dremel cutting tool) along the sleeve in order to expand it allowing it slide out.

If you stripped the strut mounting bolt then you are going to have to cut the end of the bolt off to remove the strut. Since, the bolt is stripped it is useless and I suggest you replace it.

 

[Rx3]

Ohio daily driver? Definitely rust welded on. Just cut it.

 

[Venum]

wow I’m dumb, I always manage to mess up something when I try to install something new, ok first off I cant get the cup off the stock strut, I can spin it in place, but cant move it up and down for the life of me, I have $120 in my checking account and that is for alignment so I cant really buy any tools, also I stripped out my drivers side rear strut mounting bolt so that’s pretty messed up, I called all the local auto parts stores and they don’t have the 17mm stripped bolt removal tool, so I’m sitting here wondering what to do I would appreciate any advice, my tools are very limited to basic wrenches, and sockets, even my hammer broke trying to beat the hell out of the stock strut PLEASE HELP ME!!!! If anyone in the Peoria IL region would help it would be greatly appreciated

Sounds exactly like my strut install.
To help get the sleve off (and the cup that you need to re-use) get a long handle flat-head screw driver and try to pry it off. I had to work on mine for about 30 minutes before I got it to come off. I even got a hammer and hammered the screw driver between the cup and the sleve...what a pain it was. Oh, also spray it with PB, and keep trying, keep spraying every 5 minutes or so and keep trying.

As far as the stripped bolt- I know you are short on money but Sears has some very nice Craftsman 'Bolt remover' tools. It looks like a short socket that basically cuts into the head of the bolt to allow you to grip it and eventually remove it. What you gotta do is spray the bolt with PB and use that tool, use it with a long handle wrench so that you can get a LOT of leverage (wratcheting wrenches work well). Then, after you see that the bolt is turning in place the rust is finally broken free and you can slowly hammer it out from the other side.

I hope that works, if you need to see any pictures of the tools that I am talking about I can get those for you after I get off work. Good luck!

-venum

 

[Venum]

One more thing- I had to go to a Mitsu dealership to get a new bolt. I looked everywhere for Grade 8 bolts that were a direct replacement but could find none. My bolt was on the front but it's probably a similar story on the rear, so save some time and just go directly up to a dealership to get new ones (about $3-4 each bolt).

 

[talon749]

Ok so I went to Sears and got the set of bolt- outs, it is a good design and it was working until the bolt started to spin due to the fact the piece the bolt mounts into is comming undone, so my dad is going to borrow a saw from work that we can cut all that shit out of there with so haha good bye bad bolt!! thanks for the help!

 

[Venum]

Glad to hear it man. Those bolt extractors are amazing...I didn't think they would work but they sure do (and lifetime gaurentee). Did you get replacement bolts for it yet?

 

[talon749]

yeah I am going in there tomorrow morning to order some bolts and to pick up some new valve cover bolt gaskets