strut rod bolts
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
you can buy a tool that threads on then you hit it .for me i took them to a guy who had a torch .he heated them up just a little and they came right out.you could try a small propane torch .it did not take verry much.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
1) Soak shock mount with PB Blaster or Kroil. Kroil is better IMHO but PB Blaster is available at Advance etc. I wrapped mine in tin foil and then filled the foil "boots" with Kroil to keep the parts soaking...can't hurt.
2) Go to the nearest hardware store and get three or four 3/8" NPT pipe caps. These will thread on your shock mounts and serve as the removal tool.
3) Get a BFH and a six-pack and wail away. You need to make sure the cap stays bottomed out on the shock mount; if it backs off as you are hitting it, you will wreck the mount. I placed a set of vice grips on the cap, sticking out at about 3 o'clock, that way I could see immediately if the cap was moving, and tighten it back up. If you end up beating on a cap for a while with no luck, replace it with a fresh one so you don't wreck your threads.
4) This actually does work, but in my case required some persistence. About the time you think you cannot swing the hammer one more ******* time, she'll start to move for you.
If you do much work on your Vette, you will find that an inexpensive propane torch can be your friend. If the method above doesn't work, try heating the bolt end with a torch and quenching with motor oil or WD40 a couple times.
Good luck!
2) Go to the nearest hardware store and get three or four 3/8" NPT pipe caps. These will thread on your shock mounts and serve as the removal tool.
3) Get a BFH and a six-pack and wail away. You need to make sure the cap stays bottomed out on the shock mount; if it backs off as you are hitting it, you will wreck the mount. I placed a set of vice grips on the cap, sticking out at about 3 o'clock, that way I could see immediately if the cap was moving, and tighten it back up. If you end up beating on a cap for a while with no luck, replace it with a fresh one so you don't wreck your threads.
4) This actually does work, but in my case required some persistence. About the time you think you cannot swing the hammer one more ******* time, she'll start to move for you.
If you do much work on your Vette, you will find that an inexpensive propane torch can be your friend. If the method above doesn't work, try heating the bolt end with a torch and quenching with motor oil or WD40 a couple times.
Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
I just did my strut rods. Power Blaster overnight and got a $20 from Bair Corvette, most of the Corvette Houses have them. Few good hits with a small maul and a brass drift to get around the spring bolt.
Good luck, if your close to B'ville, swing by and you can borrow the tool.
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Good luck, if your close to B'ville, swing by and you can borrow the tool.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,448
Likes: 793
From: Redondo Beach, California
The diameter of the repro strut rod bolts is larger than the OEM diameter. It's against the law to make a repro part that has the exact dimensions of the OEM part. (being cynical here.) The repro bolts are make a little larger assuming that the strut rod holes will become larger due to rusting. For my California cars, it means the repro strut rod bolts are just too big (in diameter).
