Dave_s

Is there a trick to getting the pinch bolt out? I am trying to pull it out without jacking up the controll arm. Is that the problem?
Edited to add: this is a sedan not a wagon.

shorod

Are you referring to the pinch bolt that holds the strut to the knuckle, or a different pinch bolt? If you are referring to the one holding the strut to the knuckle, you will definitely need to get the weight of the vehicle off of that wheel/corner before you can/should remove that bolt. With the weight of the vehicle off of that corner, the pinch bolt should loosen and slide out. You may need to encourage it with a punch and small hammer.

When you mention that you are "trying to pull it out without jacking up the controll arm" do you mean you don't have that corner of the car off the ground? You don't have a jack or jackstand supporting the knuckle, do you? You will want the vehicle supported somewhere other than by the suspension.

-Rod

Dave_s

I am referring to the pinch bolt that attaches the strut to the knuckle. I have car raised up, and I am not supporting it by any part of the suspension. The bolt still won't come out.

shorod

Does the bolt loose, it just won't come out of the knuckle? I'm gonna have to take a look at my service manual tonight, I don't recall anything (other than maybe rust) that should prevent that bolt from coming out.

-Rod

Dave_s

I'm thinking that its rust. The car has 150K on it and the original struts. Howver, Once you get it to move a little (and I have) it should come out the rest of the way.

Dave_s

Turns out to be good old corrosion. I had a mechanic come over yesterday. The pinch bolts on both sides snapped when the mechanic tried to pul them out. The side without the threading is stuck (as well as the side with the threading). My two options are trying to drill it out, or getting new parts. He said they look carroded enought that they should be replaced anyways. Oh well. Back to the parts store.