Front air strut lower bolt seized in sleeve

[Kiss4aFrog]

I have a 94 Mark III that I wanted to replace the air struts on. I went ahead and ordered a pair and when they arrived I started to remove the leakers. Up until I tried to get the bottom bolt out of it's rubber mounted sleve in the lower control arm things were going as expected. I ended up bolting the old ones back in as I can't get the bolt to seperate from the sleeve. I've tried oil and a good quality 1/2 drive impact but the rubber bushing seems to absorb the impact. Anyone else run into this and have a solution other than taking it to the dealer and letting it be their problem?
Help!

 

[94m5]

a 1/2" breakerbar with a pipe. It'll go.

 

[Frogman]

Well. C4 would work too. (Don't ask)

However, short of that, what 94m said. A Nice breaker bar, and lots of... motivation. You're not going to let a little teeny bolt beat you, are ya?

 

[fossten]

You may have already tried this, but just in case:

Spray PB Blaster on it and leave it for two days. Then spray it again right before you work on it. Whatever you do, DON'T take it to a dealer. You'll get raped.

 

[bigdog1279]

I have a 94 Mark III that I wanted to replace the air struts on. I went ahead and ordered a pair and when they arrived I started to remove the leakers. Up until I tried to get the bottom bolt out of it's rubber mounted sleve in the lower control arm things were going as expected. I ended up bolting the old ones back in as I can't get the bolt to seperate from the sleeve. I've tried oil and a good quality 1/2 drive impact but the rubber bushing seems to absorb the impact. Anyone else run into this and have a solution other than taking it to the dealer and letting it be their problem?
Help!

i have nitro gliserin have about 12 Oz of it
that will work real good
but i agress Wiht With Mike 94m5
that will work

 

[Jibit]

may sound stupid but make sure you have all the air out of the bags, have you removed the solenoid yet (the thing mounted next to the bag, not the height sensor)? If you are unsure take a sharp object and puncture a hole in it (if you are positive that you are getting rid of the bags). If the bag still has pressure in it you'll never get the bolt out because the bag is forcing down on it.

 

[Roadboss]

PB Blaster is a must. Soak parts well. I used a punch pont on an air chisel to drive the bolt thru the sleeve. I also replaced the old bolts with new ones I got from Max (cost about 6 buck each including nut).

 

[aristo1963]

may sound stupid but make sure you have all the air out of the bags, have you removed the solenoid yet (the thing mounted next to the bag, not the height sensor)? If you are unsure take a sharp object and puncture a hole in it (if you are positive that you are getting rid of the bags). If the bag still has pressure in it you'll never get the bolt out because the bag is forcing down on it.

the tool of choice by most techs is a sharp LOCKING knife(so it doesnt fold on tender fingers) just stab and twist but have a firm grip and be CAREFUL.
those bags are pretty tough and springy.
john

 

[Markviiiedrea]

did you get the gen II or I strut, get the gen II if you can there much better ride alot better

 

[Jibit]

the tool of choice by most techs is a sharp LOCKING knife(so it doesnt fold on tender fingers) just stab and twist but have a firm grip and be CAREFUL.
those bags are pretty tough and springy.
john

that would be why I'm a couple short :N :Beer

 

[Kiss4aFrog]

I did pull the solenoid so the system was not under any pressure but I'll try the PB and breaker bar and if I have to really jack it up I may try my air chisel on the end of the bolt.

 

[Kiss4aFrog]

Is "MAX" another member here or ??? I have no problem with destroying the bolts I have I'm just not keen on having to replace the lower control arm to get the old struts out. What a pain. Thank you for the help.

 

[fossten]

I did pull the solenoid so the system was not under any pressure but I'll try the PB and breaker bar and if I have to really jack it up I may try my air chisel on the end of the bolt.

Also try supporting the lower control arm slightly with a jack, to take the vertical pressure off the bolt. It could be as simple as that.

NEVER NEVER NEVER puncture your air bags! You can sell them for at least $50 apiece. :Bang

 

[bigdog1279]

how can he sell them if they are bad i dont understand

 

[Roadboss]

Max = 5 Star Ford, one of our preferred vendors.

 

[Kiss4aFrog]

NEVER NEVER NEVER puncture your air bags! You can sell them for at least $50 apiece. :Bang[/QUOTE]

Does someone buy them for rebuilding?

 

[fossten]

If they are inflated and need to be punctured in order to deflate them then they might not be the problem. Jibit said to make sure you have all the air out of the bags. I thought maybe the bags weren't the problem, that's all.

 

[bigdog1279]

cool ok

 

[Kiss4aFrog]

Paid for bad struts?

Hey, Fossten

Who is it that buys the front struts for 50.00 ?

Thanks everyone for the input, due to weather I haven't been able to take it apart again but at least you have given me some options to try.

 

[fossten]

Hey, Fossten

Who is it that buys the front struts for 50.00 ?

Thanks everyone for the input, due to weather I haven't been able to take it apart again but at least you have given me some options to try.

I was assuming the struts weren't bad, that the compressor or some other defect was the culprit. If they are just used, they would sell easily for that cheap.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.