Rednroll

Interesting. I had to go look at mine because I remember them being relatively easy to loosen. I now see the problem. I think if it became too difficult to remove, I would be tempted to cut the bolt and get a replacement then reverse the bolt on install, so the nut is on the exhaust side. However I think those nuts have those jam bars on them. Might have to cut that off as well if reversing the bolt.

jedg

This is what I did. Cut it and replace it going in the opposite direction.

EHarris

I've got a spare bolt, I just didn't have the SawzAll. I started with a hacksaw but the bolt kept spinning on me so I quickly torqued it back up and said I will try again.

There is no specialty bolt on these like the drivers side its a straight up bolt and nut so I may just cut the thing unless someone on here says its not the right way to repair it. How can jeep be so crazy to make it like this?! lol

Rednroll

Many repair items get overlooked. If it doesn't cause a problem in their assembly process then it's all good to them and the exhaust likely gets installed after the control arms.

I don't use a sawzall to cut bolts, too difficult. I use an angle grinder with a cut-off wheel. The HF $10 angle grinder which included a cut-off wheel the last time I bought one will go through that bolt with very little effort and will be able to get in there easier since it's smaller than a sawzall.

EHarris

I have both a cut off wheel, angle grinder and even a plasma cutter lol.

I just looked like both would be a tight fit where a long metal blade of a sawz all would be easiest.

I'll try the cut off wheel first.

Rednroll

my experience with a sawzall for bolts is that the blade is constantly biting in and kicking back. I use that more for construction and cutting into and down walls. At least that's then my personal experience and preference uses.

Tighter locations I'll grab one of those multi vibrating tools with a saw attachment, but I much prefer the angle grinder and only resort to the vibrating if absolutely necessay. For example, when one of my lower maniflold bolts was broken and needed to squeeze between the block and manifold.