Stripped bolt ?

[Darkcloud]

How would i go about removing an stripped bolt on the shock tower,I tried that stupid gator grip that was a POS basically broke at a 1/4 turn and did even loosen it,then i bought a stripped bolt,nut remover and that made it worse any tips on what i can do.

[wrichards2005]

Which bolt is it? The one on the strut mount?

[batever]

Option 1: Irwin Bolt-Outs. Hammer or just fit one onto the bolt head, then when you turn it it will dig into the bolt and give positive grip as it's made from high carbon cutting steel.

option 2 (more work) If you have the room and the above doesn't work, you can use a dremel tool or die grinder (die grinder is better) and cut through the nut most of the way, then use a socket on it and the nut will break away.

option 3, less expensive than option 2: Or if you have room, get a nut breaker and use that. It's a hardened steel clamp with a cutting chisel on it that fits around the bolt, that you tighten it and the chisel eventually breaks the nut. I have never used one but I'm sure one is in my future. They cost around $12.

option 4: If you have an air chisel you could probably chisel the thing off. I'm assuming you don't have one of those.

[mndude07]

Heat it quickly with an oxygen-acetylene torch, then get a multi wrench and go at it.

[wrichards2005]

The bolt outs really do work. Dont' get knock offs though, get the irwin brand stuff.

[batever]

Option 5:

using a sharp chisel, place the head of the chisel on the bolt head/nut in such a way that when you strike it it tends to apply a counterclockwise force to the nut/bolt. Be careful not to destroy the stuff around the bolt and be sure the material the bolt is bolted through is strong enough to withstand the impact.

I've heard this works, but have never had occasion to use it.

[wed3k]

good thing those are easily accessible, bring a dremel to it and cut the nut off. they also have nut spiltters.

[Losiracer2]

I would try vise grips and clamp them down as hard as you can on the head and turn.

[HondaFan81]

Shock tower bolts? I'm confused.

Do you mean the 3 studs that are on the top hat of the shock/spring assembly that actually go up through the body? Are you trying to remove the nut on the stud or stud itself?

[Darkcloud]

the nut.

[HondaFan81]

I had a Craftsman set of bolt/nut removers. They were sockets with a spiraled edges on the inner diameter. You find the one that fits the best, sometimes tap it on with hammer to get it to dig and then back it out. Worked every time. This will also keep your top mount/hat studs on the shock intact so you can actually reuse them.

Other methods mentioned on here I would not used if you intend to reuse your shocks.

[batever]

I had a Craftsman set of bolt/nut removers. They were sockets with a spiraled edges on the inner diameter. You find the one that fits the best, sometimes tap it on with hammer to get it to dig and then back it out. Worked every time. This will also keep your top mount/hat studs on the shock intact so you can actually reuse them.

Other methods mentioned on here I would not used if you intend to reuse your shocks.

Can't you remove and replace the studs on the shock tower? are they pressed or welded in or something?

Using a nut splitter or a dremel on the nut, only going 9/10 of the way thru the nut, then breaking it with torque, will preserve the stud.

If you slightly damage the threads on the stud, you can run a die over it, or use a thread restoring file.

If you majorly mess up the threads, yes, you might have to use a different shock if the studs can't be replaced.