Defender Steering Damper end bolt seized

So what should be an easy job has turned into a complete ball ache. Came to replacing the original steering damper with a nice new armstrong one.

I took the two nuts off the chassis end no problem and the nyloc nut off the steering bar end and thought whey! for once I didn't shear anything or break anything else. I went to slide out the securing bolt and the C*$T will not move and I have tried everything penetrating fluid, hammer, turned it, hit it, wiggled it, mole grips, club hammer, just about everything I have available to me but it still won't budge....

There is nothing actually holding it there, all I can figure is that the bolt over the years has rusted and corroded onto the metal sleeve of the bush inside the damper. When I turn the bolt the metal sleeve turns inside the bush

The other option could be to heat it and hit it??? Will this work? or should I just set about cutting it out. Also anyone know the bolt part number or size as I will need a new one? its a 17mm head with a 17mm nylon nut on the other end.

If pics required I'll go get some.

Help please!

nut is just std 17mm nut M10 IIRC.

try getting a big set of stilsons on the body of the damper? Are you sure there isn't a 2nd nut burried under the rust/grot/waxoil etc on the bracket.

Just read the OP properly cut thru the bolt with a recip saw or thin cutting disc on an angle grinder

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The offending bolt no locking bolt on that bad boy

Matt999 said:

The offending bolt no locking bolt on that bad boy

Click to expand...

put the nut back on the end a few turns so the bolt is just countersunk inside the nut (this will prevent the bolt mushrooming) and then hit it with a number 1 persuasion tool over and over until either yer arms fall off or the bolt moves.

plenny of wd40 on the bugger aswell normally helps

I had this not long ago. Hit get in the best position for hitting it like F*ck

Not a lot of room too hit it but as said stick nut on a few turns and perseverance with lr tool no 1 it's just a bit seized once you get it moving it will just pop out, if not remove link arm from drop arm and swivel and then you will be able to give it a good ole clout once the drag link is off the motor.