Ok, I decided to go ahead with a spring install myself...going with the 350z h-techs. I'm using bythabay's diy video and it's a great help. The rear springs went fine, replaced both in about an hour. My problem now is a bolt i'm trying to remove on the front, but it won't budge at all. Been at it for at least 2 hours.

It's the bolt at the end of the strut (see picture). I even went out and bought a breaker bar, but all that did was eat away at the bolt. Now i'm concerned that it won't be able to come off at all.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to remove it? I've sprayed on some wd-40. Not sure what else to try. Also, if this bolt needs to be cut, where can I get another one?

Thanks for the help!

 

PB Blaster or CRC Liquid Wrench would be stronger than WD40 but you may really need an air wrench or have to heat it with a torch to get it off.

Since you say that the bolt has started to round would also suggest a good 6 pt socket if you're not already using that, and if you can get a good tight fit on the bolt, a longer pipe over the breaker bar or a floor jack will break it loose.

 

Yes, i'm using a 6-pt socket. Just did some research online and the heat method seems to be quite popular. I'll try the PB Blaster first and then go with the heat...afraid i'm going to burn something else like the cables.

 

Air Gun?

 

An air wrench would be ideal, but I don't want to spend all that $$. I also don't have a compressor. Wonder if a shop would do it for me if I stopped by?

 

A shop would be able to do it, considering they have the necessary power tools.

 

A corded impact wrench from Lowes will work. Kobalt for $139. It has 450 ft-lb of torque and will loosen that bolt in a heart beat. Or you can bring it to a shop/dealer and have them use their air impact wrench on it. I just did that to my axle nut because they tighten it too much when they did a break job.

 

heat it with a torch for a min or so

 

Thanks for the input guys. Was finally able to get the bolt removed by getting help from a shop.

I'm following the following DIY instructions:
http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/Spring_Installation

It seems pretty straightforward, but I can't figure out how to easily remove the strut/spring assembly. I removed all the necessary bolts but the strut would hardly budge. I used the factory jack to jack up the strut for removal, but it wasn't easy at all. Took my about 1/2 hour to remove and about 2 hours to put back on (after many attempts). Reading over the DIY, it seems like it shouldn't be this difficult.

Am I missing something? I've installed the rear springs (which were extremely easy) and only one front so far. Any help would be appreciated before I spend another day trying to install the other front spring.