2019 Camaro SS front knuckle bolts won't come loose from strut

AER0__ · 04-12-2025, 12:01 PM

Hi all,

Like the title says, the two 21 mm bolts that connect the front knuckles to the struts won't come loose for me. I was able to get the 24 mm nuts off with my impact, but when I try to push or hammer the bolts themselves out, nothing budges.

There seems to be a ton of tension on them, so I'm not sure if it's the way I jacked the car up or not. I put the front end on jack stands and used the jack on the knuckle's lower ball joint to lift the whole suspension assembly up, thinking it would relieve the tension on the bolts but it didn't work.

Has anyone run into this issue before, or do you have any tips? The only thing I can think of is that I was doing this in my driveway which has a slight decline to it (the nose was slightly lower than the rear), but I don't think that was the cause of my issue since I had the whole front end lifted at the same elevation.

Thanks in advance.

DaveC113 · 04-12-2025, 12:20 PM

They're splined bolts like wheel studs, so they require some hammering, maybe lots of hammering the 1st time they are removed. You don't usually need to hammer super hard, but you need a heavy hammer and lots of hammer strikes rather than a few hard blows. Leave the nut on the end to avoid damaging the bolt threads. Good luck!

Also, if you do take them out you will need an alignment. Camber and toe will change.

cdb95z28 · 04-12-2025, 04:07 PM

If you put an adjuster bolt into the top of the knuckle and snug it lightly against the strut before you loosen anything, you can eliminate (if you do it correctly) the need for an alignment. But part of that is to keep the suspension loaded when you are bolting everything back together. This ensures the adjuster bolt stays against the strut.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609290

atx_traveler · 04-12-2025, 06:05 PM

Get a sledgehammer. I got the largest one from Lowes and they hammered out easily! I was not getting anywhere with a standard light duty hammer.

carguy55 · 04-13-2025, 06:18 AM

put the nut back on to the point where the bolt is just below the top of the nut and then use a sledgehammer to hit the nut. I use a 4lb sledgehammer

04-12-2025, 12:01 PM	#1
AER0__ Drives: 2019 Camaro SS Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: OH Posts: 8	2019 Camaro SS front knuckle bolts won't come loose from strut Hi all, Like the title says, the two 21 mm bolts that connect the front knuckles to the struts won't come loose for me. I was able to get the 24 mm nuts off with my impact, but when I try to push or hammer the bolts themselves out, nothing budges. There seems to be a ton of tension on them, so I'm not sure if it's the way I jacked the car up or not. I put the front end on jack stands and used the jack on the knuckle's lower ball joint to lift the whole suspension assembly up, thinking it would relieve the tension on the bolts but it didn't work. Has anyone run into this issue before, or do you have any tips? The only thing I can think of is that I was doing this in my driveway which has a slight decline to it (the nose was slightly lower than the rear), but I don't think that was the cause of my issue since I had the whole front end lifted at the same elevation. Thanks in advance.

04-12-2025, 12:20 PM	#2
DaveC113 Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Front Range, CO Posts: 2,204	They're splined bolts like wheel studs, so they require some hammering, maybe lots of hammering the 1st time they are removed. You don't usually need to hammer super hard, but you need a heavy hammer and lots of hammer strikes rather than a few hard blows. Leave the nut on the end to avoid damaging the bolt threads. Good luck! Also, if you do take them out you will need an alignment. Camber and toe will change. __________________

04-12-2025, 04:07 PM	#3
cdb95z28 Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 3,747	If you put an adjuster bolt into the top of the knuckle and snug it lightly against the strut before you loosen anything, you can eliminate (if you do it correctly) the need for an alignment. But part of that is to keep the suspension loaded when you are bolting everything back together. This ensures the adjuster bolt stays against the strut. https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609290 __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR2014 1SS 1LE NPP RECARO SIM-SOLD1995 Z28 M6 GSC PGM-SOLD1975 NOVA COUPE 300HP 350 TH350 FLASH RED-SOLD "KEEP THE FAITH"-Fbodfather

04-13-2025, 06:18 AM	#5
carguy55 Drives: 2018 1SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,566 View My Garage	put the nut back on to the point where the bolt is just below the top of the nut and then use a sledgehammer to hit the nut. I use a 4lb sledgehammer __________________ Mods: MSD, Headers, 95mm TB, high flow cats, full 3" exhaust, SPL, MCS 2-way remotes, sway bars, rear diff lock outs, Sparco racing seats, 6 point harness, CMS roll bar, Nine lives wing, 6" splitter, ACS canards. www.youtube.com/@Racer_Mike87

04-12-2025, 06:05 PM	#4
atx_traveler Drives: blue velvet Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 163	Get a sledgehammer. I got the largest one from Lowes and they hammered out easily! I was not getting anywhere with a standard light duty hammer.

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