Can't get rear fuel tank strap bolt loose. It just spins!

[swathdiver]

I have a 4 ton bottle jack and a 1 ton trolley jack. I also have a couple 3 ton jack stands. The ramps have raised the car up 6 inches off the ground.

Would I be able to pull something like this off with what I have?

Yes, but some wood will be needed to get some height. Any boards or 2x6s laying around? Use the bottle jack to lift her up and one of the 3-ton stands for safety/backup.

 

[JamesLond]

OK, I managed to just push it off the ramps. It's on the ground now.

 

[JamesLond]

It's off! I ended up using the longer 15mm wrench again on the nut and was able to ratchet out the bolt from bottom.

Getting it off the ramps plus getting the tire off made all the difference. Clearance and visibility is way improved.

 

[89Suburban]

It's off! I ended up using the longer 15mm wrench again on the nut and was able to ratchet out the bolt from bottom.

Getting it off the ramps plus getting the tire off made all the difference. Clearance and visibility is way improved.

Good job!

 

[Fless]

Time for a new bolt and nut set. The first time I dropped my tank we reused them, but one was fairly tight. The second time we replaced the bolt set. Easy peasy.

Have a pic of the old j-nut so we can see what went wrong with it?

 

[George B]

Anti-seize the crap out of the new fasteners if not for you pay it forward to the next guy.

 

[JamesLond]

Time for a new bolt and nut set. The first time I dropped my tank we reused them, but one was fairly tight. The second time we replaced the bolt set. Easy peasy.

Have a pic of the old j-nut so we can see what went wrong with it?

Doesn't look great but I actually don't think it was rust. The ratchet got set wrong initially so instead of loosening it just got tightened more and more.

I heard a crack at one point during the mistaken overtightening so maybe that was this thing breaking.

 

[MassHoe04]

Yeah... Ratchets always flip to wrong direction when I am in a tight spot! I end up flipping the darn lever without knowing.

The button on my DeWalt impact wrench is also touchy when not careful changing grip on the handle.
THAT can be a problem! You think it is being stubborn loosening, then SNAP!

I am now in the habit of checking, re-checking and triple-checking the spin direction of my sockets on whatever tool I am using at the time...