Lowering the V.....Problem! Rounded bolt!!!!!!!!!!1
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: Spread The Virus!!!!!!! Opie and Anthony XM Satellite Radio
Lowering the V.....Problem! Rounded bolt!!!!!!!!!!1
Ok guys, I started at the front driverside. No problem, the bolt turned all the way down until the leaf spring was hitting the bushing.
Passenger side
The 10mm head is completely round!!!!F@#*!!!!!!!
I am going to try an 8" pipe wrench tomorrow. Has anyone tried the "bolt out" type sockets from sears or elsewhere?
I would like to get some feedback before I go and buy some.
Or does anyone else have any other suggestions?
Evil twin thanks but the vice grips aint hackin it.
here is a link for the sears items.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/searc...t=searchresult
Sorry if the link does not work. go to sears.com and search for "rounded bolt remover"
Passenger side
The 10mm head is completely round!!!!F@#*!!!!!!!I am going to try an 8" pipe wrench tomorrow. Has anyone tried the "bolt out" type sockets from sears or elsewhere?
I would like to get some feedback before I go and buy some.
Or does anyone else have any other suggestions?
Evil twin thanks but the vice grips aint hackin it.
here is a link for the sears items.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/searc...t=searchresult
Sorry if the link does not work. go to sears.com and search for "rounded bolt remover"
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
You rounded the hex...or you found it like that?
A 6pt box wrench or socket should have been used. The more common 12pt wrench/soclet or open-end wrench will round it off much easier. If it still has "some" hex shape to it, a 6pt may still do the job.
If a normal sized vice-grips doesn't do it, be careful before going to anything bigger (like the pipe wrench). The vice-grips should offer more leverage than a standard-length 10mm wrench will offer.
I caution you of cranking on it too much, because if the bolt is that tough to turn, you run the risk of spinning the threaded bushing (the part the bolt threads into...it is just an insert pressed into the spring).
If that happens, you have big problems.
A 6pt box wrench or socket should have been used. The more common 12pt wrench/soclet or open-end wrench will round it off much easier. If it still has "some" hex shape to it, a 6pt may still do the job.
If a normal sized vice-grips doesn't do it, be careful before going to anything bigger (like the pipe wrench). The vice-grips should offer more leverage than a standard-length 10mm wrench will offer.
I caution you of cranking on it too much, because if the bolt is that tough to turn, you run the risk of spinning the threaded bushing (the part the bolt threads into...it is just an insert pressed into the spring).
If that happens, you have big problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 32
From: USA
Raider,
I have had the same problem.
Get a big pair of channel locks or vice grips and lock onto the metal part of the bushing under the spring.
Oil the bolt first and be sure the rubber part of the bushing is not stuck to the lower control arm.
It will loosen this way.
Dave
I have had the same problem.
Get a big pair of channel locks or vice grips and lock onto the metal part of the bushing under the spring.
Oil the bolt first and be sure the rubber part of the bushing is not stuck to the lower control arm.
It will loosen this way.
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 7
From: Evansville, IN The GOCC, rebels without a clue.
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by raidersfan
Ok guys, I started at the front driverside. No problem, the bolt turned all the way down until the leaf spring was hitting the bushing.
Passenger side The 10mm head is completely round!!!!F@#*!!!!!!!
I am going to try an 8" pipe wrench tomorrow. Has anyone tried the "bolt out" type sockets from sears or elsewhere?
I would like to get some feedback before I go and buy some.
Or does anyone else have any other suggestions?
Evil twin thanks but the vice grips aint hackin it.
here is a link for the sears items.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/searc...t=searchresult
Sorry if the link does not work. go to sears.com and search for "rounded bolt remover"
Passenger side
The 10mm head is completely round!!!!F@#*!!!!!!!I am going to try an 8" pipe wrench tomorrow. Has anyone tried the "bolt out" type sockets from sears or elsewhere?
I would like to get some feedback before I go and buy some.
Or does anyone else have any other suggestions?
Evil twin thanks but the vice grips aint hackin it.
here is a link for the sears items.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/searc...t=searchresult
Sorry if the link does not work. go to sears.com and search for "rounded bolt remover"
Don
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: Spread The Virus!!!!!!! Opie and Anthony XM Satellite Radio
Yup, the load was off. Car on jack stands with a jack with a folded towel under the leaf spring. Drivers side was cake, passenger side was rounded before I even tried it. I think I am going to get the sears kit tomorrow, but I will try corvette daves method first.
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
Vice grips are your friend. I've read about this many times and even had it happen to me a time or two. Crank those vice grips on there with 2 hands, as tight as you can. It will either turn or will break the spring 
Use PB blaster on the threads too and let it soak.
Dope
Use PB blaster on the threads too and let it soak.Dope
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 516
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From: Spread The Virus!!!!!!! Opie and Anthony XM Satellite Radio
Originally Posted by Knowme
I had the exact same problem with my passenger side 10mm bolt. I got the sears kit. Trust me you will love it. It will definately get the job done! 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 18,682
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by raidersfan
hey if it is not to much trouble can you tell me which kit you got from sears?
There are some on Ebay right now. I think I paid either $19.99 or $29.99 for it. I dont remember exactly. Goodluck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 1
From: Morganton, NC, USA
I've read on previous threads that the front ride-height adjusting bolts are not a replacement item. If you need one from Chevy, they make you buy the whole leaf spring with both bolts. If this is true, you really do not want to ruin that tight bolt. With the end of the leaf jacked to remove pressure on the spring, there should be no load on the bolt and it should turn with your fingers. If it's tight, something else maybe wrong. Maybe the previous owner stripped it and epoxied it back together? Proceed cautiously.