Hi All, I installed my sway bars yesterday, but I could only install the passenger side W/L brace. All of the bolts were tight, but the driver's side was not budging. I used my air impact, I used a 5lb sledge on a breaker bar, but nothing would loosen that bolt. In fact, I buggered it up a little, even with a 6pt impact socket. Has anyone had this issue? Can I use heat to loosen it? I'm worried about a torch near the gas tank and the rubber bushings. I may have to buy a new bolt and nut and use a nut breaker to remove it. BTW, I have an 09 STI with about 1200 miles on it.
Not knowing what compressor or tools you may have, most home use lack the torque to break some bolts and or nuts loose. Offer beer money to any shop will get it broken loose. Just be smart about where you go, hint SOK might be a good start. If you insist to be DIY'er, try a 1/2" break-over with a cheater bar after a good soaking of WD40 or the like. Clean the threads and lock-tite back to specs.
What He said^^^I havent had any problems with my 5 foot long cheater bar and 1/2" breaker bar. There hasn't been a bolt/nut that haven't been away to break with that combo.
Thanks for the responses. The Impact is an older Craftesman. I'm not sure of the actual manufacturer, but it's looks like a CP. I I have a Craftsman single stage 80 gal 3.5 hp compressor and it has lots of CFM at 90 psi. I don't remember the actual numbers, but I bought it specifically to use high demand tools. I even cranked the regulator up over the recommended 90 psi for the impact to see if I could get some more torque out of it. The wrench had enough torque to slightly damage the bolt, that's why I figured I would have to resort to heat or breaking the nut. I will try your suggestions. I'm pretty well equipped here and I've always done my own work on my race and street cars. Now it's personal between this bolt and me, but I may have to give in and take to to someone. Thanks, Scott
The less expensive impact tools tend to not live up to advertised ratings (if they advertise). I wouldn't think with an '09 you would need to worry about siezed / rusted bolts. That said some PB Blaster couldn't hurt.
Had an axle nut on a VDub that took almost all of 400psi to break loose with 3/4" impact, so the odd suprise will happen. For a new car, it just has thread locker on it being a suspension part I would suspect.
As for the tools, make sure you have a good socket, prefer a 6-point 1/2" drive when trying to break over a stuborn bolt or nut. You can try the plumbers trick of wrapping the parts with wet rags to keep the heat off bushings. You can apply heat to the end of the bolt, till a nice glow, cool down a bit with the air hose then try to take the nut off.
try rapping the end of the fastener with a ball peen. it's probably galled on. use penetrating oil (not WD that shit sucks) like pb blaster