Cutting Grade 10.9 bolts in troublesome areas (Page 1/2)
ArthurPeale NOV 22, 02:42 PM
Traditionally, I use a recip saw with a carbide blade to make quick work of bolts that have seized to the bushings.

This is great when you have sufficient room in which to move around, but for those troublesome areas I've been scratching my head as how to cut bolts without damaging the frame around them.

A couple weeks ago, I was talking to my mom's next door neighbor, who's a retired machinist. I floated this by him, and he brought out an air saw.

It was awesome - a recip saw in a tiny package for hard to reach areas.

My big issue is that it is taking forever to cut through. I have already dulled two blades on the bolt I'm cutting on the front suspension, and it took a very long time to get that far. With the bushing in the way, and sandwiched between the frame and the bushing, I'm not even sure how far into the bolt I've cut. I tried a test where I took a blade and cut it on the head of the bolt to see how deeply I could cut in 30 seconds, and got about 1/2 MM. At that rate, I should have cut through this bolt by now.


Which brings me to my question - where can I get diamond or carbide blades for an air saw? I've got all of the bolts on -this- car, plus another Fiero I'm working on.
theogre NOV 22, 07:52 PM
OE type bushing have rolled center sleeve w/ seem so you don't cut hard to replaces suspension bolts...
See my Cave, Bushings

Did you tell neighbor cutting Class 10.9 or harder? (GM and other "books" say 10.9 but factory may use harder then that in some cases for number of reasons.)
Cutting harden bolts etc isn't like cutting sheet metal and soft crap that most small air saws are made for.

Dull blade is likely because no lube/coolant + likely have wrong teeth count for thing to cut.

Carbide and other types w/ this air saw type is hard to find and cost a lot when you find them. Even then may not last because of blade speed cutting this...

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

pmbrunelle NOV 22, 11:02 PM
I prefer to cut the bolt stubs flush with the outside of the mounting ears (abrasive cutoff wheel). From there, the bolt faces can be ground down a bit via the mounting holes.

Then, the mounting ears are pried apart to remove the control arm with its bushing + rusted bolt.
MaxxPower1968 NOV 23, 03:13 AM
I ran into this same problem a few months ago while working on my Ram's suspension. I used a sawsall with about 3 blades from a variety pack with, I believe, were 8 inch blades I got at HF. I think it was about 10 or 15 bucks. The 10.9 bolt froze to the bushing sleeve. I had to cut through all three, poly bushing, sleeve, and bolt. Maybe the longer blades will work for you too.

I have a reciprocating air saw also and it uses regular jigsaw blades but they were not long enough for the job at hand.

[This message has been edited by MaxxPower1968 (edited 11-23-2022).]

ArthurPeale NOV 23, 10:38 AM

quote
Originally posted by MaxxPower1968:
Maybe the longer blades will work for you too.





The area in which I'm cutting has no good room for a longer blade, unless my hands were REALLY steady. They're not.

I'm currently working on the front passenger toward the rear. The other bolt I was able to cut with a regular carbide blade on a full size recip saw.



quote
Carbide and other types w/ this air saw type is hard to find and cost a lot when you find them. Even then may not last because of blade speed cutting this...



Carbide blades are expensive, period. The six inch Diablo ones I usually get are ten bucks each.
ArthurPeale NOV 23, 10:40 AM

quote
Originally posted by pmbrunelle:

I prefer to cut the bolt stubs flush with the outside of the mounting ears (abrasive cutoff wheel). From there, the bolt faces can be ground down a bit via the mounting holes.

Then, the mounting ears are pried apart to remove the control arm with its bushing + rusted bolt.



I don't have great access to be able to get a cutoff wheel in there, where the car currently sits. And, the car can not currently move.
ArthurPeale NOV 23, 10:58 AM
(double post)

[This message has been edited by ArthurPeale (edited 11-23-2022).]

olejoedad NOV 23, 11:57 AM
Just torch the heads off.
ArthurPeale NOV 23, 01:34 PM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

Just torch the heads off.



1) no torch.

2) the area in which the car sits - not an option
pmbrunelle NOV 23, 05:28 PM

quote
Originally posted by ArthurPeale:
I don't have great access to be able to get a cutoff wheel in there, where the car currently sits.



Not even with a Dremel-sized cutoff wheel on a Dremel? Or something on an air die grinder?


quote
Originally posted by ArthurPeale:
1) no torch.



Usually, when I need a tool for a job, but I don't have it, that's typically what motivates me to go buy the tool.