Passenger's side top hat

[meridian3233]

I was hoping my first post would not be a cry for help, but here I am...

I am in the process of removing the very worn stock suspension from my 98 3rd gen and replacing it with the SS 1.2 system (along with LBJ, tie rods, etc.)

Had no issues with the driver's side strut, but the passenger's side top hat is driving me mad. Managed to get two of the three nuts off without issue, but the little bugger to the rear is in a horrible position. I could not get any socket over it due to the almost zero vertical clearance afforded by the inner part of the fender. I also found that it was mildly stripped before I went to town on it and subsequently made it worse.

I have since tried to split it by cutting it with a cutting-wheel, and using various chisels to try to break it apart vertically - ultimately no dice. Realize I probably made my problem worse, but what's done is done.

Below is what I am dealing with. As this is quickly draining my sanity, does anyone have any ideas?

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Welp have ya tried heating it up and slapping some vise grips on it and twist.

 

[IBallEngineer]

I was hoping my first post would not be a cry for help, but here I am...

I am in the process of removing the very worn stock suspension from my 98 3rd gen and replacing it with the SS 1.2 system (along with LBJ, tie rods, etc.)

Had no issues with the driver's side strut, but the passenger's side top hat is driving me mad. Managed to get two of the three nuts off without issue, but the little bugger to the rear is in a horrible position. I could not get any socket over it due to the almost zero vertical clearance afforded by the inner part of the fender. I also found that it was mildly stripped before I went to town on it and subsequently made it worse.

I have since tried to split it by cutting it with a cutting-wheel, and using various chisels to try to break it apart vertically - ultimately no dice. Realize I probably made my problem worse, but what's done is done.

Below is what I am dealing with. As this is quickly draining my sanity, does anyone have any ideas?

At this point just keep cutting!

 

[Hoots Magoon]

I was hoping my first post would not be a cry for help, but here I am...

I could not get any socket over it . I went to town on it and subsequently made it worse.

Instead of a socket, have you tried an open end wrench? Use a die grinder to finish cutting the nut in sections. It will eventually come off.

 

[meridian3233]

Thanks for the replies so far - before the more drastic measures, I tried a crow's foot wrench as well as a ratcheting wrench. It felt like the crow's foot was working, but what I was actually feeling was the nut stripping further.

It is hard to see in the close up picture, but the gouge I have made with my chisels looks to be through the nut and into the actual bolt. Problem is I cant get the flat, flared bottom part of the nut to cut/break.

Thought about taking a torch to it, but not sure if it will help much at this point. Should I give it a shot anyway?

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Thanks for the replies so far - before the more drastic measures, I tried a crow's foot wrench as well as a ratcheting wrench. It felt like the crow's foot was working, but what I was actually feeling was the nut stripping further.

It is hard to see in the close up picture, but the gouge I have made with my chisels looks to be through the nut and into the actual bolt. Problem is I cant get the flat, flared bottom part of the nut to cut/break.

Thought about taking a torch to it, but not sure if it will help much at this point. Should I give it a shot anyway?

Heck yea put some heat to it its to late for precision

 

[tx_shooter]

I have used a dremel with a cut off wheel to cut two sides where I have a strong flat surface to work a wrench again. That looks like it might work for you here also. The other option is to cut and split that nut off of there. Either way - that sucks.

 

[Brilliant]

I would just cut the nut off at this point.

 

[MandAtaco]

Just keep cutting, if you have an air chisel, I'd go at it with that also. Local auto parts stores may have one of these too: nut splitter, it may help ya out.

 

[Asaspades93]

cut it horizontaly if possible