bolt wont budge - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevyman02 · 09-30-2002, 03:42 PM

I can't for the life of me seem to get the bolt that connects my panhard bar to the frame. Any suggestions, tips or tricks you guys used to remove those pain in the ass bolts taht just wouldn't come off. I've been spraying wd-40 every chance I get.

Thanks.
Adam.

Maximum Overdrive · 09-30-2002, 03:44 PM

SFR and a big ass breaker bar. If all else fails torch it out.

**COBALT** · 09-30-2002, 03:58 PM

First, make sure the geometry of the rear end isn't loading the panhard bar (putting it in compression/tension). That could prevent the bolt from turning.

Second, when you have the rear-end in a position where you think the bar is unloaded use some liquid wrench and soak the bolt down GOOD. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then get a 24" breaker bar (1/2" drive), and maybe a 3' led pipe and try to break it loose. You can try some hammer blows on the head to see if it wiil loosen up. You may have to go to 3/4" drive.

Finally, if nothing else works make sure the liquid wrench is dry (use some solvent to clean it away if necessary) and pull out the propane torch. Heat the bolt and part of the frame up, and then strike it with a hammer before it cools, then quickly try to break it loose with the breaker bar.

Repeat all of this until you get it to break loose! Good luck.

jay-dawg · 09-30-2002, 05:34 PM

I am in the same position. How do you know if it is not loading on the panhard bar? Do I make it at stock height, higher? Lowering the frame didnt help (I took the springs out already). I've tried my 1/2" impact wrench but not for long though. I even tried using my 3 ton jack on the breaker bar with no luck. I'll try the impact wrench again and maybe a mapp torch next.

jay

**COBALT** · 09-30-2002, 05:56 PM

Well if the springs are out then it's not loaded. Aside from busting the bolt it sounds like you've done everything you can do! Keep trying.

Low68 · 09-30-2002, 06:26 PM

When I replaced mine about a year and a half ago, I got under there and noticed that the nut was unscrewed half way. HOLY COW! I still couldn't get it to loosen. The bolt rusted to the sleeve inside so bad that I couldn't get it loose. I just cut it off. I had a new bolts anyways, so it didn't matter. IF it is that hard to get off, you should probably replace the bolt anyways. Good luck
Low68

cableguy0 · 09-30-2002, 07:36 PM

two words blue wrench

TODDS 72 · 09-30-2002, 08:52 PM

2 More Words CANDLE WAX,IT WORKS!!

chevy2racr · 09-30-2002, 09:33 PM

todd, I've tried the wax before with no luck, so I dunno, WD-40 isn't a penetrant, so basically ur wasting your WD-40 by shooting it on there. A good penitrant, use and impact, if it doesn't losen, the torch on teh nut til its red hot and us teh impact again, repeat til off)(or toruch it off) once you get the nut off a punch and a BFH should get it out.
Bryce

jay-dawg · 09-30-2002, 09:39 PM

I wonder if the g/f wont mind if I "borrow" the scented bathroom candles.

minibike · 09-30-2002, 10:36 PM

I soaked mine for two days and rattled on it for at least 10 minutes with the impace...no luck. I have a circular saw with a metal cutting blade in it that worked. I cut the back of the nut down to the bolt threads, and that loosened it up enough to wrench it off. A new grade 8 bolt at Lowes was about $2.50.

ebfabman · 09-30-2002, 10:56 PM

Get it glowing red with a fire wrench then use a cheater bar on a half inch drive breaker bar or ratchet.

Spoof · 09-30-2002, 11:27 PM

My experience with penetrants is Moov-it is #1.

jay-dawg · 10-07-2002, 01:52 PM

success!!! I doused my bolt with some silicone spray and just hit it with the impact wrench with my new compressor set at 90 psi. Only thing was I didnt have a socket large enough to hold the other end so I had to use an adjustable wrench. After, I sang the rocky song.

jay

1971LT1SWBPOSI373 · 10-07-2002, 02:08 PM

An impact wrench wont cut it folks. You need a 1/2 inch drive 6 point socket, a quality breaker bar, and a three foot long section of steel pipe to slide over the breaker bar. You can jack the truck up after you get the nut broke free, or do it now, you'll have to jack it up at some point for it's removal. Heating the nut (the nut only) up a little with a torch will help too... but using an impact wrench is useless. The panhard is put on really tight. TJ

jay-dawg · 10-07-2002, 02:24 PM

ummm.....not for me.

jay

chevyman02 · 10-07-2002, 02:58 PM

Help. I gave up on getting the bolt to budge, so I used an angle grinder and removed the side with the nut. Still no luck getting it out. So I then cut the other side of the bolt off thinking I could just pull it down with no problems. Nope, the bolt isn't short enough to come straight down. I'm ready to stick some dynamite to this thing and blow it up. I attached a picture of my nightmare.

1971LT1SWBPOSI373 · 10-07-2002, 03:09 PM

Man, that panhard is bent too. Better check the rest of the rear, shocks, control arms, and springs.

chevyman02 · 10-07-2002, 03:18 PM

It was bent only by me doing so. I tried using a hammer to pry it down, that didn't go too well either, becuase the hammer is cracked now.

stllookn · 10-07-2002, 03:35 PM

Don't mad...get a hot wrench and teach it a lesson! I love my torches for all those hard to move items. My next favorite tool is the angle grinder...LOL!

JHickson6 · 10-07-2002, 04:51 PM

Self Explanitory

09-30-2002, 03:44 PM	#2
Maximum Overdrive December 21, 2012 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Black Eagle, Montana Posts: 1,634	SFR and a big ass breaker bar. If all else fails torch it out. __________________ *"!Ama Sua, Ama Kjella, Ama Lllulla!"*

09-30-2002, 03:58 PM	#3
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	First, make sure the geometry of the rear end isn't loading the panhard bar (putting it in compression/tension). That could prevent the bolt from turning. Second, when you have the rear-end in a position where you think the bar is unloaded use some liquid wrench and soak the bolt down GOOD. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then get a 24" breaker bar (1/2" drive), and maybe a 3' led pipe and try to break it loose. You can try some hammer blows on the head to see if it wiil loosen up. You may have to go to 3/4" drive. Finally, if nothing else works make sure the liquid wrench is dry (use some solvent to clean it away if necessary) and pull out the propane torch. Heat the bolt and part of the frame up, and then strike it with a hammer before it cools, then quickly try to break it loose with the breaker bar. Repeat all of this until you get it to break loose! Good luck. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

09-30-2002, 05:34 PM	#4
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	I am in the same position. How do you know if it is not loading on the panhard bar? Do I make it at stock height, higher? Lowering the frame didnt help (I took the springs out already). I've tried my 1/2" impact wrench but not for long though. I even tried using my 3 ton jack on the breaker bar with no luck. I'll try the impact wrench again and maybe a mapp torch next. jay __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

09-30-2002, 05:56 PM	#5
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Well if the springs are out then it's not loaded. Aside from busting the bolt it sounds like you've done everything you can do! Keep trying. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

09-30-2002, 06:26 PM	#6
Low68 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 758	When I replaced mine about a year and a half ago, I got under there and noticed that the nut was unscrewed half way. HOLY COW! I still couldn't get it to loosen. The bolt rusted to the sleeve inside so bad that I couldn't get it loose. I just cut it off. I had a new bolts anyways, so it didn't matter. IF it is that hard to get off, you should probably replace the bolt anyways. Good luck Low68 __________________ Build Thread

09-30-2002, 03:42 PM	#1
chevyman02 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Indpls, IN Posts: 52	bolt wont budge I can't for the life of me seem to get the bolt that connects my panhard bar to the frame. Any suggestions, tips or tricks you guys used to remove those pain in the ass bolts taht just wouldn't come off. I've been spraying wd-40 every chance I get. Thanks. Adam.

09-30-2002, 07:36 PM	#7
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	two words blue wrench __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

09-30-2002, 08:52 PM	#8
TODDS 72 Not the nightly winner Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: CHARLEMONT MA.USA Posts: 763	2 More Words CANDLE WAX,IT WORKS!! __________________ 72C10SWB BLUE 350/350 86K10LWB BLUE 5.7 700r4 7.5' fisher plow 93S10XCAB4X4 BLUE 4.3 4L60e 69gmc c10 v8 3 on the tree yellow 72k10 swb 350 3 on the tree green 86k15 swb5.0L 4spd brown

09-30-2002, 09:33 PM	#9
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	todd, I've tried the wax before with no luck, so I dunno, WD-40 isn't a penetrant, so basically ur wasting your WD-40 by shooting it on there. A good penitrant, use and impact, if it doesn't losen, the torch on teh nut til its red hot and us teh impact again, repeat til off)(or toruch it off) once you get the nut off a punch and a BFH should get it out. Bryce __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

09-30-2002, 09:39 PM	#10
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	I wonder if the g/f wont mind if I "borrow" the scented bathroom candles. __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

09-30-2002, 10:36 PM	#11
minibike Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 500	I soaked mine for two days and rattled on it for at least 10 minutes with the impace...no luck. I have a circular saw with a metal cutting blade in it that worked. I cut the back of the nut down to the bolt threads, and that loosened it up enough to wrench it off. A new grade 8 bolt at Lowes was about $2.50. __________________ 69 SWB LT1/4L60E www.classicplace.com

09-30-2002, 10:56 PM	#12
ebfabman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 2,489	Get it glowing red with a fire wrench then use a cheater bar on a half inch drive breaker bar or ratchet.

09-30-2002, 11:27 PM	#13
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	My experience with penetrants is Moov-it is #1. __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB

10-07-2002, 01:52 PM	#14
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	success!!! I doused my bolt with some silicone spray and just hit it with the impact wrench with my new compressor set at 90 psi. Only thing was I didnt have a socket large enough to hold the other end so I had to use an adjustable wrench. After, I sang the rocky song. jay __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

10-07-2002, 02:08 PM	#15
1971LT1SWBPOSI373 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 460	An impact wrench wont cut it folks. You need a 1/2 inch drive 6 point socket, a quality breaker bar, and a three foot long section of steel pipe to slide over the breaker bar. You can jack the truck up after you get the nut broke free, or do it now, you'll have to jack it up at some point for it's removal. Heating the nut (the nut only) up a little with a torch will help too... but using an impact wrench is useless. The panhard is put on really tight. TJ __________________ 1971 Shortbed 350/350 w/ Posi-traction 3:73's 1996 Chevy Silverado TJ in Springfield, Virginia Likes old Chevy trucks Drinks Miller MGD



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10-07-2002, 02:24 PM	#16
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	ummm.....not for me. jay __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

10-07-2002, 02:58 PM	#17
chevyman02 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Indpls, IN Posts: 52	Help. I gave up on getting the bolt to budge, so I used an angle grinder and removed the side with the nut. Still no luck getting it out. So I then cut the other side of the bolt off thinking I could just pull it down with no problems. Nope, the bolt isn't short enough to come straight down. I'm ready to stick some dynamite to this thing and blow it up. I attached a picture of my nightmare. Attached Images

10-07-2002, 03:09 PM	#18
1971LT1SWBPOSI373 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 460	Man, that panhard is bent too. Better check the rest of the rear, shocks, control arms, and springs. __________________ 1971 Shortbed 350/350 w/ Posi-traction 3:73's 1996 Chevy Silverado TJ in Springfield, Virginia Likes old Chevy trucks Drinks Miller MGD

10-07-2002, 03:18 PM	#19
chevyman02 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Indpls, IN Posts: 52	It was bent only by me doing so. I tried using a hammer to pry it down, that didn't go too well either, becuase the hammer is cracked now.

10-07-2002, 03:35 PM	#20
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Don't mad...get a hot wrench and teach it a lesson! I love my torches for all those hard to move items. My next favorite tool is the angle grinder...LOL! __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

10-07-2002, 04:51 PM	#21
JHickson6 I Love This Stuff! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 739	Self Explanitory Attached Images __________________ My Rides 1967 C10 In Pieces for now 1985 Ford B700 SourPuss Bus - BIG BLUE 2003 Silverado CITY WORKER YELLOW!!

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