It started as a simple brake job. However, I somehow had a lug bolt mis-threaded and broke it off in the hub trying to get it out. Rather than try to extract it, I assumed it's already butchered the threads in the hub, and with over 200K and one rear bearing already replaced due to grinding, it seemed prudent to just replace it.

I now have the tie rod end disconnected, the two strut bolts removed and the axle pulled out, but I cannot get the four hub bolts to break free. I've tried a fairly powerful impact wrench, I've tried a breaker bar and hammer, nothing will budge them. I'm only the third round of PB Blaster. I'm thinking I'll try some heat, although I will wait for the penetrating oil to dry up first .

I was going to reuse the bolts but decided to get new ones...they have some sort of thread-locker on there, it looks like, which makes me wonder...are they tight because they're torqued down and a bit corroded with age, or are they tight because of the damn thread locker? Maybe heat is exactly what I need? Weird that none of the Youtube turorials I've watched have mentioned it.

Anyone got any tricks for these bolts?

 

Well, heat didn't work. So then I thought, I have it disconnected from everything but the ball joint, I should pull it out of the control arm so I can put the knuckle in a vice and work on it there. But of course I need to get that ball joint out without damaging it, as it's brand new and the last thing I need is to redo that nightmare job. Not sure what if any ball joint separators work with this car, most I've tried on various vehicles work, if they do, because you don't care about damaging the ball joint. Not the case here.