Stripped Bolt in Rear Suspension - How to remove?!

[Teocali]

Came back from work trip to find the KA sitting a touch low at the rear:


Check both rear springs have snapped and then review Haynes manual - easy job.

Jack up, undo two bolts, lower rear beam, remove broken springs, drop in new springs and redo two bolts. Simple.

Nearside was simple - however the offside appears to have a stripped thread (red circle - the nut remains static) and I can't get the bolt out!


Any ideas? Bolt spins freely in both directions but can't be forced out....

Also once out I think my only options are to either add a secondary nut or change the whole rear beam?

[imagineifyeswill]

An impact gun would be best for this but can be done with hand tools and an assistant. I would suggest getting a pry bar or such like into the beam against the end of the bolt and while exerting huge pressure get someone to turn the bolt and it should wind out. I would then suggest chiselling that old nut off and fit a new bolt wth a nyloc nut.

[CrutyRammers]

Oh, that looks a pain
If you can get a dremel in there with a small cutting disk, you can chop the nut away, along with a bit of chiseling and general brutality. Then remove the bolt and replace. I did the same recently on an old bit of machinery, but I wasn't having to do it under a car.

[kambites]

imagineifyeswill said:

I would suggest getting a pry bar or such like into the beam against the end of the bolt and while exerting huge pressure get someone to turn the bolt and it should wind out. I would then suggest chiselling that old nut off and fit a new bolt wth a nyloc nut.

That would be the first thing I'd try.

If that doesn't work, I'd cut through the nut and bolt flush with the inside face of the beam using a "Multitool" type saw.