Rear spring install

[ill0gical0ne]

I recently bought a set of Tein S-Tech springs for my 99 Eclipse, and when I went to install the rear passenger spring, the bolt that holds the strut to the car will not come off the car. And when I say it "will not come off the car," I seriously mean it; we had four people pulling on a socket wrench on the bolt and it wouldn't budge. All that would happen was that the hex screw that goes into the brake assembly would spin (very slowly) and the bolt would then start to strip. Earlier today, I took my car into the auto-tech garage at my school, to see if I could try using an impact drill on it, and the damn thing wouldn't fit.... The only other alternative that I've thought of doing, was ordering the part from Mitsubishi, then getting someone to cut the bolt off. Any suggestions?

 

[mByron]

When you say that you used a socket wrench, i'm hoping that you mean a breaker bar. When i did my suspension, a huge breaker bar or cheater bar helped out a lot. Try soaking it with pbblaster, that stuff has helped me out so much recently.

 

[sadsm]

Memories. That happened to me, and two of my friends about two years ago. I assume you are talking about the bolt under the car. We had no breaker bar and were under the car for three hours. What we did was we put the car on the jack stand and used the jack to put pressure on the bolt to break it loose. Good luck, and do it real slow as to not strip the bolt.

 

[jredgo1234]

When you say that you used a socket wrench, i'm hoping that you mean a breaker bar. When i did my suspension, a huge breaker bar or cheater bar helped out a lot. Try soaking it with pbblaster, that stuff has helped me out so much recently.

Couldn't of said it better!

I find myself soaking bolts in pbblaster 2 to 3 days in advance of when i know i am going to work on the car. I also tap them lightly with a hammer to help break up rust. You have to realize that that bolt probably hasn't been taken off in a long long time if ever.

 

[ericbev]

Couldn't of said it better!

I find myself soaking bolts in pbblaster 2 to 3 days in advance of when i know i am going to work on the car. I also tap them lightly with a hammer to help break up rust. You have to realize that that bolt probably hasn't been taken off in a long long time if ever.

I agree also.

First step on a nut that is giving you trouble is a bigger wrench. The next step is giving it a thorough bath of penetrating lube like PB Blaster or Aerokroil. If all else fails, give it a little heat from the torch and it should come out with no real problems.

When I mean a bigger wrench, I mean big. This 28in long 1in drive ratchet is bent because it has had giant pieces of pipe attached to it. Ive snapped sockets with this thing many times.

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[cotsi95]

what do u mean the impact wouldnt fit? they didnt have the right sized socket? like everyone else said soak it in pb...but an impact really is your friend here. Good luck!

 

[sadsm]

I think what he meant about the impact not fitting is that there is not enough clearance to use it. If he were to use it, it would strip the bolt because it will not be on the bolt properly.

 

[ill0gical0ne]

yeah.. we tried everything.. from the breaker bar to a metal pipe on the socket.. nothing worked