Well, someone (cough cough, dealer) overtightened the nuts on the strut towers. I managed to get 5 of the 6 off but the 6th is stripped. Cant seem to get this nut off with any size socket or crescent wrench. How do I get this thing off? Cutting the only option? Obviously, im not worried about the nut itself, but the stud, id like to keep intact.

Thoughts? Thanks

 

The threads are stripped or the outside of the nut? If it's the outside, use a bolt-out kit like one made by Irwin. If the threads are stripped. Try wedging a flat head screwdriver under it while you are turning it out.

I'm guessing this is related to the Alutec strut bar? Been there done that. I could not get a good threads on the nut to seat on the strut studs so I went bought nuts without the flange on the bottom. The thickness of the alutec is the problem--doesn't leave much stud left to tighten down so it is easy to overtighten.

 

outside of the nut is stripped. Bolt out kit eh? Available at lowes? I have the Grab It kit but thats more for screws and bolts versus nuts. and yes, this is with the alutec strut bar. luckily, its just one.

 

ive used these before on a stripped bolt from the exhaust.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=1301785667124

 

Just get a pair of vice grips and get it on there good and tight. That ought to get it off.

 

Lowes, home depot and sears did not have anything other than a grabit set. Vice grips didn't work/fit

 

Try a Gatorgrip. Even our local WalMart and CVS has 'em.

 

Wow, I didn't think those would be good in tough situations. Guess that'll be something I will add to my toolbox.

 

They work just fine for strut tower nuts, they're only torqued down to about 24 ft/lbs. (or anything in that range, basically).

I'm surprised y'all are having issues with the Alutec bar, i didn't experience this issue at all. Good luck, guys.

 

+1 for this! This happens to me a lot at work and vice grips can save the day.

 

just spent 2 hours trying with no luck. Tried a size 11mm, tried vice gribs, tried the craftsman bolt extractor kit...nothing is working.

 

Try a chisel. Hammer a groove in it then reposition and hit it from the side. If that doesn't work take a cut off wheel and cut to the threads then run the chisel in it and it will split the nut. I just spent two weeks redoing my who suspension and must have done this no less than 10 times.

 

i cant even get in there with my dremel...its the back nut thats hard to get to.

 

If at all possible, find somebody that has a welding machine. That way you can use a smaller socket and place it on top of the nut and place a tack weld between the socket and nut. That should be plenty strong enough to get the nut off.