I will give it another shot tomorrow after work. I would like to avoid grinding it off as well but after two days of trying everything with no luck I'm running out of options. I thought for sure once I got the lower control arm cut out of there I was at the finish line... I spoke to soon and the remaining bolt seems to be giving me the most trouble.

 

Some other options are drilling out the bolt, and easy out, or getting it towed to a shop. I've had bolts snap on me and it is not fun.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the advice! I have had bolts snap in the past and personally done plenty of control arms - never had one fight me like this! I have had some take time and patience but in the end it all works out. This one just won't budge. I just bought the car last week knowing the suspension needed some work - and everything was going like a breeze getting the knuckle off and freeing the ball joints. Of course THE LAST BOLT had to snap.. I would like to avoid grinding it off or towing it to a shop because then the bolt win's but will see what the next few day's bring. I will keep you posted on how it goes.. I wish I could have more room to work with an impact or a drill but the sides are limited space wise.

 

Just wanted to give you both an update - I got the stud out without grinding off the nut! I used a blue bottle torch and vice grips and after a couple attempts of doing that and letting it cool down it finally gave free! Thanks again for the suggestions and input. Lower control arm, ball joint and exhaust downpipe showed up 30 minutes after I got the bolt out.

[img=http://s31.postimg.org/n0jyz965z/20160420_142528.jpg]

[img=http://s31.postimg.org/5usq35wfr/20160420_142606.jpg]

 

Glad you got it removed and thanks for posting the fix. This can help others in the future.

 

Glad to hear you got it. Sometimes a little heat and a different tool will get the job done.

 

Thank you both! Yes it was a great feeling when that bolt started to finally spin! This isn't my primary car and I work from home so being able to go out in the garage and give her what I had until I got frustrated and walk away was a huge plus. The heat and a new pair of vise grips with some better bite helped for sure.

Have either of you replaced the downpipe/flex pipe? My flex-pipe is bad and I ordered a new pipe with the flex pipe. Bolts look pretty rusted - not so worried about the cat bolts because if they break I can get in there with a drill but the manifold bolts are what I worry about it. I been spraying them the past few days until I do the job.

 

You might want to make sure you have another "blue" tank around. I've found that manifold bolts can either be easy to come out, or just snap off. No ryhme or reason either. But, with some "pre-soak" and some heat (on the manifold itself by the bolts) should result in good results. If the mainfold is held on by nuts on studs, then warm them up (the nuts) until glowing, then spin those babies right off.