seized bolt out of bumper

[wodcutr]

I for the life of me can not get one of the bumper bolts out from my front bumper. I have already broke 2 10mm hex sockets and snapped a 10mm allen wrench. I have tried soaking the thing from the top with penetrating oil and have already removed the cover and trim. The other bolt came out fine. Aside from cutting the damn bumper off and removing the shock and replacing with another I have no more ideas. Suggestions anyone? Thanks!

[VAPORBLADE]

They rust on - and they suck ass. Hex bolts are so lame. I ended up getting mine off with HEAT. You have to be really careful to not torch anything else, or set the bumper on fire. I was lucky that it didn't take much.

Another thing is to just drill the beast out. Get a good bit and chew it up! :)

On the rear I took off the bumper shocks and bumper as one - and just kept the shitty bolts installed.

[wodcutr]

Just use a torch from the top or on the head? I would think the bumper would melt in a hurry!

[VAPORBLADE]

I had the skin off when I did it. I do not recommend it - but I did it.

It is the side with the tow hook? I also used PB blaster and it worked well on the other ones - I blasted it in the hole, top and bottom. I know you tried something, just not sure if it was PB.

[E30SPDFRK]

Try putting a new bit in then hitting it as hard as you can with a hammer. It makes the rust shift just enough that you can get them out.

Mercedes lug bolts always get stuck and this always does the trick.

[wodcutr]

Ya the side with the tow hook. I used liquid wrench penetrating oil. I used to have some kroll but all gone. I will try letting it sit overnight and hit it with a hammer in the morning. If that doesn't do it then I guess it will be torch time!

[VAPORBLADE]

If it comes to heat be careful. I do not want to hear about a house/garage/car burning up. :) If you have the feeling of "I am not sure I should do this" Don't do it!

I hope the oil wrench works.

Another (safer) idea

I took a allen that was too big and hammered it into the torq - that was able to get it moving too. It is wild, as each thing fails, we all get a bit more desperate.

[robmespeedy]

before you resort to heat. try a hex socket on an impact gun.

[guibo09]

same problem here. the non tow hook one wont budge. the other 3 bolts came out like butter with the impact.

i've poored half a can of PB blaster on the top side of the bolt over weeks with no results. the only thing that happened is that the metal nut plate has worked loose. but the bolt still does not spin.

i tried heat, and stopped right away, the bumper core lit on fire in a hurry. so no help there. ive also banged with a hammer like mad.

when the car goes to the body shop, im hoping their more powerful impact will get it off. i give up after braking a bunch of tools. drilling doesnt look to difficult with access to the top... but i dont feel like wasting time on that.

[guibo09]

on the same topic, does anyone have the right part number for these bolts? i found 3 different ones on realoem, 2 which cost a couple of bucks, and one which costs 25!

[wodcutr]

I finally managed to get the bolt out. After letting it soak in the penetrating oil over night I hit the dang thing with a hammer a few times and tried to loosen. No budge. I then for some reason decided to see if it would turn the other direction to tighten and it moved a tiny bit. I then proceeded to wiggle the bolt back and forth until the thing moved farther and farther each time. After I could move it a full half turn I was able to back the bolt out. I had to then pound on it from the top with a smaller diameter bolt to get it to come out of the shock sleeve. I think I will order new bolts and put some anti seize in there just in case I ever have to do this again!

[VAPORBLADE]

Yay! :)