Front Shock Bolt Stuck

[jinx10000]

I just bought a 1997 Dodge Ram 4x4 with a 5.9 l engine and the front shocks were in really bad shape. I had to cut the top nuts off both shocks because they were rusted solid and I about gave myself a hernia breaking loose the nuts on the bottom of the shocks. Anyways, I've got the nuts off and have replaced the passenger side shock, but the bolt in the driver side shock turns and turns and will not come out. I've put as much pressure on the back of the bolt while turning as I can since it is in such a tight spot but no luck. There is no room to pry behind the head of the bolt. I've tried. Two and half hours later bolt is still in and I am wore out.

Anyone know of a technique for pulling a bolt out in this condition?

[rhandwor]

This is rusted badly check and make sure someone didn't drill out a bolt before and put a nut on it. Normally they break off is why this is what I think your problem is.If you have a small angle grinder electric grind most of the head off and use a cold chisel to knock the head off. Center punch the bolt head drill it out and install a new 10.9 bolt and nut. If you have a torch heat it up and try. Worst case you can buy a new control arm at a junk yard.
You also can center punch and use a drill the same size or a 1/64 inch bigger and drill through the head and bolt. Buy a new cobalt drill bit. You have a spare bolt to check size.
A trip to the local hardware, Lowe's or Home Depot will fix you right up.

[jinx10000]

Thanks for the suggestions. I just want to clarify some things before I mess it up.

Are you suggesting that I drill out the whole bolt? I am pretty sure that the person did not previously drill it out. Will I be able to drill the bolt if it is able to spin?

[rhandwor]

I didn't know it was that loose. You can put a box or open end wrench on the bolt head and use a C-clamp to hold it while you drill. If it breaks the drill should run it out the other end.

[jinx10000]

OK I drilled the head off the bolt. It took me several hours. I should have went and got a cobalt drill bit. Anyways. After I got it off I tried to drive it through and still nothing. I think the bolt is seized in the metal jacket that goes around it. And the metal jacket is the part that is spinning inside the rubber bushings.

I'm going to try putting a torch to it for awhile but I have no other ideas. If that doesn't work I will try to drill all the way through it but that is going to be very very difficult because I have to drill at a slight angle.

Let me know if you have any other ideas.

[jinx10000]

FIXED!!! This site and the users on it have been a lifesaver for me for the last several years. Thanks rhandwor.

If anyone else has this problem. This was my solution.

I raised the truck up high and lowered the control arm to create a lot of room between the spring.

Then I cut the bottom of the shock off with a cutting torch. Then I cut the metal bushing in half. Then I knocked the bolt in from both sides.

Warning! I don't know if shocks will explode. However, mine didn't and it was last resort.