General: Bolt seized rear bearing hub

[Orangemoon]

HELP !!!
Removed 3 but really struggling with last seized bolt on XC 90 2005 2.4 D5 RHS rear bearing hub.. It's the one bottom left (from in front of the wheel) We've removed the bar that blocks access and heated it up but still no joy . Any tips gratefully received !

[cheshired5]

Proper penetrating fluid applied at both ends of the bolt, patience and an impact wrench set on low and used to shock the bolt in both directions.
The vibrations will help loosen the corrosion.

If you force a breaker bar, it could snap the bolt.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

If you force a breaker bar, it could snap the bolt.

Which would be a good outcome?

If the head becomes damaged, you will need to just grind that corner off the bearing back plate...

[Orangemoon]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Proper penetrating fluid applied at both ends of the bolt, patience and an impact wrench set on low and used to shock the bolt in both directions.
The vibrations will help loosen the corrosion.

If you force a breaker bar, it could snap the bolt.

No room for the impact driver ... struggling to get a socket in there !! What if we cut the head of the bolt off with a Dremel type tool ? Does the back of the brake hub have thread where the bolt enters it or does it just bolt onto the bearing hub ?

[Orangemoon]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Which would be a good outcome?

If the head becomes damaged, you will need to just grind that corner off the bearing back plate...

So we can cut the head of the bolt off from behind the backplate ? Bearing in mind the car is on the ground on jack /stands and not over a pit !! There's not a lot of room !

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

If the head becomes damaged, you will need to just grind that corner off the bearing back plate...

I suppose but I'd always explore the simple stuff first especially as I don't know the OP's tool collection.
You could also end up damaging the brake disc guard.

Originally Posted by Orangemoon

Does the back of the brake hub have thread where the bolt enters it or does it just bolt onto the bearing hub ?

I assumed that you already had the wheel and disc off anyway seeing as that's essential for the job.

I can't remember on an XC90 but on my S60, the bearing bolt threads are clearly visible on the outside.

[Orangemoon]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

I suppose but I'd always explore the simple stuff first especially as I don't know the OP's tool collection.
You could also end up damaging the brake disc guard.


I assumed that you already had the wheel and disc off anyway seeing as that's essential for the job.

I can't remember on an XC90 but on my S60, the bearing bolt threads are clearly visible on the outside.

Yes the wheel and disc are off ! The bearing bolts bolt from back to front and the end of the bolts are inaccessible behind the bearing hub .. The bolt heads are not easily accessible, especially this one, which is what's causing the problem !

[Orangemoon]

BTW we have successfully changed the other three axles and bearings on this car .. It's this one bolt that's stumped us !!!

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Orangemoon

this one bolt that's stumped us !!!

From 3mins in, in this video here, access is pretty good for an offset 16mm ring spanner once the bar is out of the way so I'm not sure why yours is proving to be so tricky.

[Orangemoon]

Perhaps because his is up on a ramp and he's not having to crawl about on the floor ? We watched this video yesterday and had a good laugh at how easily he undid this particular bolt !!