Pinch bolt style ball joint + torch = boom?

[Dirtman]

Working on a dodge with struts that use a pinch bolt to attach the ball joint directly to the strut. Its completely fubar along with being an idiotic setup... no room to get a cutoff tool, drill, or sawzall.

My question is can I pull out the torch? What are the chances of heating the strut too much and causing a boom?

Any other ideas. Tried impact, air chisel, breaker bar, nut splitter broke in half (must be a super hardened bolt).

 

[Uncle Gump]

I would torch it... be quick... cut it... drive the bolt out... cool with water.

 

[snoranger]

Have you tried cursing at it?

Post some pics.

 

[Dirtman]

Been working on this car since noon. Cursing has been involved. It's a effing dodge caliper with 230,000 miles, and completely rotten. Never maintained. Trying to bring it back to life for my niece's first car. It's a trash car for her to inevitably crash before we get her something better. Just trying to make it "safe".

 

[Dirtman]

Covered the strut in my welding blanket to try and block and explosion, Strut didn't explode but it's dead. Spewed fluid out of the top like a tea kettle. Its disconnected though lol.

 

[adsm08]

Get PJ to take a look. He plays with dynamite.

 

[Dirtman]

Get PJ to take a look. He plays with dynamite.

First person I asked.