Had my 90 loyale inspected and needs ball joints.

The pinch bolt of course already has the head snapped off on one side.

I've already read through most every post on the subject.

I have access to a oxy/acetylene torch and am wondering what method is best.

I'd personally grab a spindle with acceptable bearings from the junkyard and just replace that. If you happen to have new or better bearings in the car's present spindle, then you can swap them temporarily while you extract the broken bolt at a workbench instead of on your knees inside the fenderwell.

I would drill through it as much as possible and then see if it can be turned out or something. Good luck!

I'd personally grab a spindle with acceptable bearings from the junkyard and just replace that. If you happen to have new or better bearings in the car's present spindle, then you can swap them temporarily while you extract the broken bolt at a workbench instead of on your knees inside the fenderwell.

I would drill through it as much as possible and then see if it can be turned out or something. Good luck!

 

Well replacing the knuckle would be easiest but gl/dl/loyale subarus aren't

very common in our local wrecking yards.

What am I saying, Subarus period aren't common in our local wrecking yards here in central Virginia.

Someone could probably mail you one; it'd be about $11 for USPS flat rate shipping.

Someone could probably mail you one; it'd be about $11 for USPS flat rate shipping.

 

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

Just to add info of my experience for the next poor person that comes up against this problem.

First I soaked the bolt with Kroil. (best penatrating oil on the planet)

Did nothing, so I drilled a hole in the bolt and tried an easy out.

Nothing, heated with a torch and still nothing.

Finally just drilled completely through and will use a longer high strength bolt,

lockwasher and nut.

Anti sieze on everything!!!!!!!

Drilling was very tedious using carbide bits and oiling the bit often.

Not looking forward to the other side when the time comes.

Not looking forward to the other side when the time comes.

 

 

Dont underestimate the potential of penetrants + TIME.

 

If you hit the "other" bolt with penetrant (or even just some used engine oil) NOW ... when the day comes to do the other side you will be pleasantly suprised.

Dont underestimate the potential of penetrants + TIME.

 

If you hit the "other" bolt with penetrant (or even just some used engine oil) NOW ... when the day comes to do the other side you will be pleasantly suprised.

Agreed, and I have been spraying the other side with penatrating oil in hopes that it will be easier to get out.

I am not sure your location, but I have had bad time with the car I got from Minnesota. The pinch bolts, were essentially "welded" in place to do the rust, and even a torch could not get it.

I am not sure your location, but I have had bad time with the car I got from Minnesota. The pinch bolts, were essentially "welded" in place to do the rust, and even a torch could not get it.

I'm in central Virginia (Chesterfield County) but my car I believe came from New

York and has a little body cancer to show for it.

I'm going to continue to soak the other pinch bolt but don't think it will help.

Not seeing how bad the side I just fixed was.

I think the words Subaru and Anti sieze should go hand in hand.

I once drilled out this very bolt. Went to tap it to original size and was pleasantly surprised when the tap, instead of cutting new threads, found the old ones and began pushing out the threaded cylinder that used to be the bolt.

drilling out the bolt isn't that bad, takes about 1/2 hour per side, even if you nerple the threads you can use a grade 5 3/8-16 bolt and nut,that go all the way thru, I used a nylock type locking nut. you have to be very careful not to drill at an angle. I step the sizes of drills. 1/8 than 1/4 than 5/16 than 3/8, but most of the time it will come out, with it being hollowed out you can crush the bolt inward with a chisel. it is a pain, and I use 3% cobalt drills.

broken pinch bolt, and also a seized axle shaft to the hub, meant for me after 2 hours of drilling the old bolt out, only to realize the axle was seized, using a big press even, meant a waste of half a day just to disassemble, only to have to go to junkyard and get used axle and hub the next day.

broken pinch bolt, and also a seized axle shaft to the hub, meant for me after 2 hours of drilling the old bolt out, only to realize the axle was seized, using a big press even, meant a waste of half a day just to disassemble, only to have to go to junkyard and get used axle and hub the next day.

 

 

YIKES.......do they use salt in IOWA

YIKES.......do they use salt in IOWA

 

yes Lots of Salt, and they even mixed some garlic in this year from the Tones spice plant.