I am working on my integra’s front suspension, but 3 bolts are rust welded. My impact gun managed to get one off, but the others wont budge. I hit them so much that the impact bit got too hot to the touch. Sprayed with penetrating fluid, hit it with a hammer etc.

My only other option is heat, but the problem is, that it’s a wheel well and it traps heat, not to mention there is a brake hose which is very close to the area I will be heating.

How can I contain my propane torch heat to this specific bolt without damaging other areas?

  • RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.worldM
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    1 year ago

    Soak them overnight in penetrant and then use the biggest breaker bar you can find. 36 or 48 inch, usually 3/4 or 1 inch drive.

    You could also try cutting a notch and using an air chisel to try and vibrate the rust loose while spinning the bolt.

    Remember, left is loose, right is tight.

    EDIT: Also, what impact are you using? Cordless half inch? Pneumatic 1 inch? What’s its reverse torque?

    Also, depending on how parts have worn, you can try using a floorjack under the wheel to try and relieve some pressure on the bolt. Not a lot of lift is needed, but sometimes bushings go bad and the suspension locks its own bolts in.

    • Temple Square@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Left is loose, right is right. And orientation flips psychologically when the nut points toward the ground.

      Not going to say how I learned that the hard way…

      • DominicHillsun@lemmy.worldOP
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        1 year ago

        I always hated that expression of left is loose, right is tight. Bolt is not a line, it’s a spiral.

        Clockwise to tighten (numbers on clock go bigger) Counterclockwise to untighten (numbers on clock go smaller)

      • RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.worldM
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        1 year ago

        If that scares you, wait until you find out about left-hand thread bolts. For those bolts, left is tight and right is loose.