ARB drop link removal proving difficult - suggestions?

[brandwooddixon]

OK. I was going to replace the front ARB bushes and drop links, but I'm having difficult removing them.

So far I have broken one and twisted another Torx bit trying to undo the drop link bottom bolt.

I have sprayed liberal amounts of WD40 both around the drop link, bolt and inside the lower wishbone where the other end of the bolt protrudes.

I have tried applying heat, but the conflagration of burning rubber wasn't nice.

Am I really left with having to burn them out?

Any helpful suggestions or tricks of the trade would be very gratefully recieved.

 

[John Kerr]

OK. I was going to replace the front ARB bushes and drop links, but I'm having difficult removing them.

So far I have broken one and twisted another Torx bit trying to undo the drop link bottom bolt.

I have sprayed liberal amounts of WD40 both around the drop link, bolt and inside the lower wishbone where the other end of the bolt protrudes.

I have tried applying heat, but the conflagration of burning rubber wasn't nice.

Am I really left with having to burn them out?

Any helpful suggestions or tricks of the trade would be very gratefully recieved.

When I did the drop links on my W203 I had to cut the bolts off with an angle grinder.

 

[brandwooddixon]

So you cut off the heads, hammered the drop link off the remains of the bolt and then worked on the stub of bolt that was left?

Hmm, I guess I'll be paying a visit to the dealers for some new bolts ....

 

[star]

203 links are different, dont cut them unless really necessary, as you will find it harder to remove the stud without the head. try a quality torx bit first.

 

[hmang]

...and some mole grips at the same time.

little tiny back and forth movements and plenty of squirt.
you might need new bolts any way because of the mole grip damage

 

[wireman]

If you can get at it with a hammer bang the bolts axialy (along their length) to help crack the rust. Take care not to make a mess of things that may get in the way of the hammer.