I plan on changing the struts in 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5S. I have never changed struts before. I expect the bolts to be on there tight and want to know what I should do to prepare the bolts for loosening. I live in NJ so I'm sure the winters have had their effect by now.
To give you an idea of my skill level. I have done brake jobs, steering rack replacement, and PS pump replacement in the past. I understand that heating the bolts with using a propane torch and spraying the threads with PB Blaster are two good ways to prepare bolts for loosening.
P.S. No wise cracks about getting air tools please. I don't have a need to use them often and for that reason don't want to spend the money on them.
What is the best way to prepare rusted bolts for loosening?
Start now dousing the threads with a good penetrating oil. Give them a healthy shot every day for a week and they should come loose without too much trouble. If they don't Sears, Harbor Freight and some Auto Parts Stores, sell a tool called a %26quot;nutcracker%26quot; or nutbuster that only costs a few bucks. It has an anvil opposed by a cutter on a bolt. Put it over the nut, tighten and it will split the nut so that it easily unscrews, no matter how rusty it is.
What is the best way to prepare rusted bolts for loosening?
i changed the struts on my oldsmobile and all i did was sprayed them with blaster and use a breaker bar. but before loosing the bolts mark around the old struts so you can put the new ones on the same way so it won,t be out of alignment. i sprayed black paint around the bolts before taking them out.
PB Blaster
can be bought at the parts store its is a white can with red/yellow/black writing on it and has a yellow cap. soak nuts and bolts with the spray wait 12-24hrs and respray. then proceed to remove nuts and bolts.
P.B. blaster.....ther isnt any substitute...at least none that i have found....i usually soak exhaust bolts in this overnight b4 i work on rusted exhaust.....
struts shdu b easier to break loose.....btw on that model do u have to use a spring compressor?...cas if so b very careful tehy r dangerous
PB Blaster then a few strikes on the HEAD of the bolt with a hammer, then loosen a lil, spray with lube, then tighten back a lil, few more strikes/taps with a hammer then it should be all over, hope this helps
Start squirting PB everyday for a week before hand, should loosen them up a bit. Works everytime for me.
try some good penetrating oil.
