HELP! Rounded off my stock lowering bolt!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,352
Likes: 103
From: In the pit, trying to love someone.
HELP! Rounded off my stock lowering bolt!
Hey guys, I finally decided to lower my car today, and this happens. I got the shock changed and the bolt adjusted on the front drivers side with no issues. I then went for the passenger side, removed the wheel, removed the shock, and counted the threads. I then put a 10mm socket on the bolt, started turning counterclockwise, and the head rounded off. WHAT DO I DO?! 
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: TACOMA WA
Well, mike that's no problem just take your jack and place it underneath the leaf spring as close as you can get to the A arm jacking it up of course to releave tension, then you should be able to turn it by hand or with a pair of robo grip pliers. However before you do this you may need to apply some wd-40 or equivilent to the threads (letting it trickle down) to lube and break free. hope this helps
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
You might consider welding a hex nut onto the end of the adjustment bolt(s). The application of heat alone may break the bolt free, if not, the nut is easier to grab on to then that 10mm hex on top.
Use plenty of lubricant before hand as suggested. I prefer the PB BLASTER. Fill the little tough on the top side of the spring surrounding the threaded portion of the bolt. When you see that it's wicked down below the spring, you know it's fully lubricated. Mine could be adjusted by hand w/o a wrench at that point.
If the rubber bushing is vulcanized to the control arm, that adds to the issue. Use more PB BLASTER or you lubricant of choice and a metal putty knife to break the bushing free. Apply white lithium to the bottom of the bushing so it doesn't vulcanize again.
Use plenty of lubricant before hand as suggested. I prefer the PB BLASTER. Fill the little tough on the top side of the spring surrounding the threaded portion of the bolt. When you see that it's wicked down below the spring, you know it's fully lubricated. Mine could be adjusted by hand w/o a wrench at that point.
If the rubber bushing is vulcanized to the control arm, that adds to the issue. Use more PB BLASTER or you lubricant of choice and a metal putty knife to break the bushing free. Apply white lithium to the bottom of the bushing so it doesn't vulcanize again.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,352
Likes: 103
From: In the pit, trying to love someone.
I ended up removing the whole spring, and pounding the bushing out of the spring. Once the bushing was out I heated it up with a torch and got it off, but it was not fun. I got everything back together, thanks for the ideas.
