Can't get stabilizer bolts out

jjr21

'08 Mecury Mountaineer- V6 AWD
Trying to change out the front stabilizer bushings. I guessed they must have lugged fasteners on these, but I've backed the bolts holding the frame bracket out this far, and I still have to use a 22" breaker bar to turn them. Even if I had air tools, I'm afraid I'll break a bolt off or break the fastener loose inside the frame box. It is making popping sounds when I turn them. Why would they be this hard to turn? What can I do about it?

thecardoc3

When removing those bolts an impact gun is the way to go. I usually remove and retighten them repeatedly about one or two turns at a time as they break the corrosion off of the threads above the captured nuts inside the frame. There are times that the bolts break, or the nuts break loose inside the frame. There is nothing you can do about during the removal process. If they don't survive being taken apart, new ones must be installed.

The concern right now is it sounds as though you have been forcing these out instead of exercising them out. Now they might be seizing and not tolerate moving either direction and will fail and need to be replaced. If you can get them to turn back in and free up you might be OK and then get back to removing them. Sometimes there are access holes where some penetrating oil can be sprayed in and allowed to eat through some of the corrosion. You should spray the exposed bolt below the frame now before you attempt to turn them back in.