fastsuv

The problem with just hitting the end of the bolt is that the lower control arm bushings absorb the blows and dissipate the force by flexing the bushings. You need to brace the strut against something to keep it from flexing. Also, you could damage something by hitting it too hard if the strut is not braced and the whole knuckle/strut/control arm are being forced sideways.

Some sort of press with a socket would be best, like Oldblue described with the bench vise. This makes sure all the applied force is going to the right place.

The knuckle is aluminum. so you have the disimilar-metals corrosion between the bolt and knuckle (like when you try to take the hub out of the knuckle).

Steve

puckdude40

Yeah, bigger hammer didn't work either, but I also didn't brace the strut as fastsuv mentioned, so I didn't want to proceed with too much abuse with a big sledge. I already changed out the LCAs once because of bad bushings recently, so I'd prefer not needing to replace them after only a couple hundred miles.

Going to try a bench vise, and if that doesn't work, I might just throw in the towel and pay someone else to deal with it. For as much as I've worked on rusty cars and trucks, I've never met a bolt that I couldn't eventually get out, but this one has thrown me for a loop.

Oldblue

A ball joint press would be even better, most parts palaces don’t charge to use them.

puckdude40

Finally! Ball joint press was the answer. Tried the bench vise the other day but that did not pan out. Finally had some time to get to O'Reilly's and loan a press from there. Got the job done with a few hard pulls on the breaker bar. Now, I wait for my replacement bolts to show up and I can finish the job, and hopefully be riding smooth again. Thanks for all the input guys!

Oldblue

Another happy customer! Excellent news. It worked, who knew.