Upper trackbar bolt issues... I've never seen anything like this...WTH

[skrit]

So I was messing around with a DIY alignment and was attempting to remove the track bar that I just put on a month ago. WTH is going on with this bolt?

It spins so easily but no amount of beating on the threaded end will make it come out. I've cursed and sweated more than ever.

It's a brand new bolt, bushing and sleeve! No way it's rusted to the sleeve.

I'm beyond pissed at this thing and it's ruined my morning. Thoughts?

 

[dmoses42]

Maybe jack it up to take any load off of it?

 

[ba123]

You are spinning the bolt in the hole, as far as I see it, not really sure what you mean,. It's not threaded in there. You need a wrench on the other end to take that nut off and then you just need to tap it out with a mallet or gently with a hammer. You can start it out with the nut on by hitting the nut end with the hammer--that would be more gentle on the threads.

 

[bax]

You better have that out by now!

 

[Shimmy]

the TB bolt is under shear force. apply pressure to the threaded side while you unscrew it, or get a flat head or pry in there and unload some of the force so you can just pull it out

 

[admin]

You are spinning the bolt in the hole, as far as I see it, not really sure what you mean,.

I think he means the bolt isn't sliding out, even after hitting it from the nut end. But it spins freely (his video) so that doesn't make a lot of sense.

@skrit has the bolt shaft possibly developed a groove where it's rubbing against the hole in the trackbar bracket? You said it's only a month old, so probably not.

Have you tried beating on the thread end while someone else spins the bolt head? *** Edit: typed too slow. Shimmy beat me to it ***

 

[catfan]

I think he means the bolt isn't sliding out, even after hitting it from the nut end. But it spins freely (his video) so that doesn't make a lot of sense.

@skrit has the bolt shaft possibly developed a groove where it's rubbing against the hole in the trackbar bracket? You said it's only a month old, so probably not.

Have you tried beating on the thread end while someone else spins the bolt head? *** Edit: typed too slow. Shimmy beat me to it ***

I have had that happen (Grooved bolt) and no amount of beating would get it out.

 

[skrit]

I have not had someone ratchet the hex head while I bang on it from the castle nut side. I just can't believe it won't budge to get out of that hole. I mean I've smacked the crap out of it from the nut side using a shallow socket on a breaker bar and 8lb hammer.

The other end of the track bar is not connected, just the upper. There is no load on it.

 

[skrit]

I have had that happen (Grooved bolt) and no amount of beating would get it out.

Dang it. I hate to have to cut the head off. I just finished painting the chassis the other day. I'm sure it'll bugger up something....jeez always something.

 

[skrit]

I'll try and use some sort of rigged up bottle jack to put steady pressure on it while I try and back it out. It must be a stupid groove on the bolt that developed when I was torquing it down

 

[dmoses42]

You could try moving the loose end of the track bar front to back while hitting the bolt with the hammer and see if that works...

 

[ba123]

that sucks.

any space between the bolt head and the painted bracket? maybe you can slide a piece of sheet metal with a groove the size of the bolt behind to protect while you cut. Although, if you cut the head, that does not necessarily mean the bolt will move and then if a groove, it could be just as stuck on the other side...might have to make two cuts.

Could also try tapping it in different spun positions to see if any difference.

For cutting, you could also cut head on instead of along the edge of your painted surface and pry pieces away. More work in cutting but staying away from visible paint:

Not sure if that makes sense or not.

Or maybe try a bigger hammer knowing that the bolt is toast.

And then lastly, maybe just leave it. What are you trying to accomplish by taking it off? What alignment adjustment are you trying to accomplish? Maybe someone can help think of another way.

 

[ba123]

Could also brace the bolt with some vice grips and drill a hole in the head.

 

[DirtDonk]

I can't see the video. Not supported or something to that effect.
There is always the possibility, though extremely slim, that somehow the bolt has rusted to the inner sleeve. But it's a zinc plated bolt from the other pics, correct? And the sleeve is probably plated as well? Any grease or anti-seize in place? If it was stainless and stainless, I could see things jamming/galling up. But plated on both? The words "slim chance" don't even come close!

But either way, why are you messing about with any kind of alignment? You're not trying to center the axle at this state, are you? And neither toe-in, nor camber/caster are effected by the trackbar. Or are you messing about with aligning the trackbar and draglink? Now that would mean removing the bar most likely!
So unless you really have to remove it, just step back and curse at it from a distance. No more loss of hair of sanity for a few minutes/hours/days/weeks/months/years (oh no!!) if you don't have to.

But if you're messing with the bracket height, start whacking it again!
How long is the shank? How many threads inside? Did you fully torque it during the last installation? Just wondering if the shank had pulled through the bracket and the threads got distorted when torqued.
Looks like a high grade bolt, so a distortion is not likely unless you used an impact gun.
If the sleeve was long enough, and you torqued it hard enough, perhaps the inner sleeve is what's distorted and clamping on the bolt to the point that the threads are catching.
Did the bolt come out at all? Or is it stuck fully right up to the head?

And lastly, speaking of air guns... Do you have an air-chisel? Maybe a punch head on it and let it fly on the bolt.
Just be sure to wear ear protection!

Paul

 

[skrit]

It's out! Ball joint press worked like a charm. The bolt doesn't look all that messed up but a few threads. The bushing sleeve is fine. I guess this shows how strong grade 8 bolts are. Still can't wrap my head around why it would not come out with brute force hammering.

 

[bax]

Brute force screwing is always better than hammering.

 

[nvrstuk]

I can't see the video. Not supported or something to that effect.
There is always the possibility, though extremely slim, that somehow the bolt has rusted to the inner sleeve. But it's a zinc plated bolt from the other pics, correct? And the sleeve is probably plated as well? Any grease or anti-seize in place? If it was stainless and stainless, I could see things jamming/galling up. But plated on both? The words "slim chance" don't even come close!

But either way, why are you messing about with any kind of alignment? You're not trying to center the axle at this state, are you? And neither toe-in, nor camber/caster are effected by the trackbar. Or are you messing about with aligning the trackbar and draglink? Now that would mean removing the bar most likely!
So unless you really have to remove it, just step back and curse at it from a distance. No more loss of hair of sanity for a few minutes/hours/days/weeks/months/years (oh no!!) if you don't have to.

But if you're messing with the bracket height, start whacking it again!
How long is the shank? How many threads inside? Did you fully torque it during the last installation? Just wondering if the shank had pulled through the bracket and the threads got distorted when torqued.
Looks like a high grade bolt, so a distortion is not likely unless you used an impact gun.
If the sleeve was long enough, and you torqued it hard enough, perhaps the inner sleeve is what's distorted and clamping on the bolt to the point that the threads are catching.
Did the bolt come out at all? Or is it stuck fully right up to the head?

And lastly, speaking of air guns... Do you have an air-chisel? Maybe a punch head on it and let it fly on the bolt.
Just be sure to wear ear protection!

Paul

Those are the video problems I'm having as well.

 

[Oleguy 74]

get some lucas marine grade bearing grease. it is blue. put it on the bolt. that will stop most your problems.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I can't see the video. Not supported or something to that effect.
There is always the possibility, though extremely slim, that somehow the bolt has rusted to the inner sleeve. But it's a zinc plated bolt from the other pics, correct? And the sleeve is probably plated as well? Any grease or anti-seize in place? If it was stainless and stainless, I could see things jamming/galling up. But plated on both? The words "slim chance" don't even come close!

But either way, why are you messing about with any kind of alignment? You're not trying to center the axle at this state, are you? And neither toe-in, nor camber/caster are effected by the trackbar. Or are you messing about with aligning the trackbar and draglink? Now that would mean removing the bar most likely!
So unless you really have to remove it, just step back and curse at it from a distance. No more loss of hair of sanity for a few minutes/hours/days/weeks/months/years (oh no!!) if you don't have to.

But if you're messing with the bracket height, start whacking it again!
How long is the shank? How many threads inside? Did you fully torque it during the last installation? Just wondering if the shank had pulled through the bracket and the threads got distorted when torqued.
Looks like a high grade bolt, so a distortion is not likely unless you used an impact gun.
If the sleeve was long enough, and you torqued it hard enough, perhaps the inner sleeve is what's distorted and clamping on the bolt to the point that the threads are catching.
Did the bolt come out at all? Or is it stuck fully right up to the head?

And lastly, speaking of air guns... Do you have an air-chisel? Maybe a punch head on it and let it fly on the bolt.
Just be sure to wear ear protection!

Paul

Same video play back issues for me as well. Same rust thought as well. Hammer on something rubber mounted is surprisingly uneffective.
Glad it came out. Not sure what was hanging that up.
I remember doing a shock bolt on an axle once. New truck (can't remember why we were removing it, just what it took to get the factory installed bolt out).
No impact would touch it. Double stacking wrenches would not touch it. Double stacked wrenches, biggest guy in the shop doing pull ups didn't do it.
Lowered the truck, wrench on the nut, going to test the warranty of that wrench. Floor jack on the wrench. Tire was lifted off the ground, still wouldn't come loose.
Then I slid under there, while supported by the jack on the wrench, whacked it with a hammer. Bang. It was loose. Unscrewed with fingers. Ran the nut and bolt back together, everything was fine, no damage. One of those strange stuck bolts for no reason.

 

[.94 OR]

Is the thread damage from its resting position in the frame bracket?
If you are replacing the bolt, can you get one slightly longer so the smooth shank rests in the bracket instead?