How to heat up a bolt without damaging stuff around it
How to heat up a bolt without damaging stuff around it
I am working on my integra's front suspension, but 3 bolts are rust welded. My impact gun managed to get one off, but the others wont budge. I hit them so much that the impact bit got too hot to the touch. Sprayed with penetrating fluid, hit it with a hammer etc.
My only other option is heat, but the problem is, that it's a wheel well and it traps heat, not to mention there is a brake hose which is very close to the area I will be heating.
How can I contain my propane torch heat to this specific bolt without damaging other areas?
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You'll melt the bushing if you heat up the bolt on the lower control arm. I would grind off the nut with an angle grinder, probably the easiest way. Make sure to load up the suspension a bit to get the bolt out easier.
Edit: After getting the lower bolt off you can remove the entire strut from the car and figure out how to get off the shock clamp bolt.
No, I cannot, not enough vertical space for that. I have managed to remove the lower bolt on one side because it was greased before bolted in and I have to remobe both bolts to remove the strut.
To get the strut out, you also have to unbolt the upper control arm at the ball joint. I had this car for 16 years and have done it this way several times.
Edit: also unbolt the sway bar if have not done so.