I'm at the end of my rope with this a/c compressor

[Royk]

Got 3 of the 4 bolts out and of course the last one had to stick it to me. It's in so tight I ended up rounding off the bolt head. Squeezed it as tight as I could with vise grips and it won't budge. Heated the bracket with a propane torch and it still won't budge. And oh, it's one of the bottom ones blocked by the frame. What's the next step?

Roy

 

[MGreer]

I just replaced mine a couple weeks ago and the bottom bolt was seized on mine. I used a shallow 6 point impact socket to turn it. It is probably to late for that. The bolt on mine would turn in the steel bracket but it was actually corroded inside the bolt hole of the compressor housing.

 

[Teejaym2500]

I'm not sure what year truck you're talking about, but I'll put my two cents in on what I do with mine. I have an 03 2500.
There are two holes through the frame that allow you to run a extension through them to hit those two lower bolts on the AC compressor. If you've already rounded bolt off, which I have done in the past, what I would do is spray some penetrant on it tap it a few times witha hammer let it sit for a few hours, come back, do the same. If there's any head left at all you can try jamming the next size socket on that,the or go sae, maybe. If not you might just have to get up under there with a cold chisel and tap it in the direction has to go. Sometimes that'll loosen it up.

 

[MGreer]

On mine when I got the other three bolts out I could twist the compressor counter clockwise and see the bolt turned with it. I then twisted it back clockwise past its original position which broke the bolt loose. Then I was able to turn the bolt out.

 

[Royk]

On mine when I got the other three bolts out I could twist the compressor counter clockwise and see the bolt turned with it. I then twisted it back clockwise past its original position which broke the bolt loose. Then I was able to turn the bolt out.

I thought about that too. I guess I'll try that next.

 

[Crank]

Sell the truck.

 

[Motorhead]

That's not a reply to make when a guy is asking for help.

Are you going to replace the compressor? If so, Are you able to get any heat on either the compressor body where the bolt is stuck or heat the head of the bolt and let the heat soak into the compressor casting. If you are in a road salt or rainy area, when you re-install the compressor, use some anti-seize on the bolt threads or if you don't have anti-seize, grease the threads lightly.

 

[BigPapa]

Get you some. Best thing since Vise-Grips. This set is $20 at Lowe’s.

 

[Royk]

There are two holes through the frame that allow you to run a extension through them to hit those two lower bolts on the AC compressor.

Yeah, I saw those. I'm sure they'd come in real handy if they actually lined up with the bolts. As they are, I can cover only about half the bolt head. I thought about blowing the holes open with my stick welder, but the welder is broken too.

I went to Lowe's and picked up those Irwin bolt extractors. I think I got it to turn, but even if it does, I can only back the bolt out so far before the extractor is up against the frame. I guess I'll try that and see if I can see enough threaded portion to get a hacksaw blade on and cut it off.

 

[Crunch]

I think I got it to turn, but even if it does, I can only back the bolt out so far before the extractor is up against the frame.

If you got it to turn even a little bit, you're probably back in vise grip territory.

 

[BigPapa]

If you got it to turn even a little bit, you're probably back in vise grip territory.

That's what I was thinking...

 

[RVTRKN]

Spray some penetration oil on the threads showing or into the gap, then tighten bolt and back off doing it over and over. It should start to loosen enough to get it out.

 

[Ozymandias]

Yeah, I saw those. I'm sure they'd come in real handy if they actually lined up with the bolts. As they are, I can cover only about half the bolt head. I thought about blowing the holes open with my stick welder, but the welder is broken too.

Had the same, it indicates that your engine mount bushings are worn out.

Replaced my bushings, engine sits at least 3/4" higher in the frame.

My old ones were badly bent, out of shape and torn.

...short fix - lift the engine a little and get it done. Either a bottle jack or a hoist will do the job. What ever you want.

 

[Royk]

If you got it to turn even a little bit, you're probably back in vise grip territory.

Nope. Tried the vise grips again and couldn't get it to turn. I haven't tried reheating it yet, though.

...short fix - lift the engine a little and get it done. Either a bottle jack or a hoist will do the job. What ever you want.

Just what I need, another repair job. I wonder what can go wrong while doing that job.

 

[Ozymandias]

Except for sized bolts it's pretty much straight forward, I had around 2 hours for both.

These mounts are important for the alignment of the whole driveline, can be a cause for vibrations that is almost ever overseen by the mechanic.

 

[Ozymandias]

But for now just lift it as much that you can access your beastie bolt through the frames hole.
No need to loosen the engine mounts for this, there is enough play in the mounts now.

If it doesn't loose up, stick another bolt through the frame and weld it to the round head of the stuck one. Then turn out the darn thing.