Help with a stuck bolt on Dodge Intrepid

I have a Dodge Intrepid and I can't get the rear strut replacement bolts to budge with my socket set. What should I try?

Thanks for your email, here are a few suggestions for you:


1. Good quality 1/2" Impact Wrench and an impact socket set. Don't use your handlheld sockets with an air impact wrench. They are not designed for that kind of torque. You will need a good quality impact socket set with both SAE and metric sockets. An high quality impact manufactured by Ingersoll Rand or Chicago Pneumatic is generally all you need to "convince" a stubborn nut or bolt to loosen.

Failing that:

2. Heat up the area around the bolt with a torch.. (CAREFUL! Remember the gas tank and gas lines. If you aren't completey sure about this. Don't do it.) and try
the impact again.

3. PB Blaster that soaks for a day
4. Air hammer on the bolt itself to try and dislodge it.. Usually destroy it.. (See an example here:
http://www.mailsack.org/lugnut.JPG)

5. Weld a nut onto clean metal after making a mess of the bolt

6. Drill it out & Retap.

Now, what I REALLY think happened is your tech is flat rated and gets
paid for his 1.2 hours (or whatever it is) for the job.. Problem
bolts are a productivity killer.

I was once working on a Cadillac Allante 4.1L with Digital Dash and
loads of electronics and had to weld a nut onto a broken water pump
bolt to get it out. The water pump job had a flat rate time of
something like 2 hours.. It took the better part of a day.