[Open Loop]

Originally Posted by Imp

And I continue with my Subaru love/hate relationship. Went to install everything last night on my '14 BRZ bought used, but New England car, which is my 10th Subaru I've owned in my life. It's like the scene from Ferris Buellers day off "This is crazy. This is crazy. This is crazy.... this is CRAZY."
Car's all jacked up (heh) on jack stands, wheels off, just working front suspension, got brake line off, got lower strut bolts off, time to take off the endlinks. Kinda rustly already... ok VERY rusty. Douse upper and lower endlink nuts with liquid wrench, , wait a bit) get allen(6) in the hole, got 17mm wrench, no bueno. Won't budge. Turn some more... nada. Break out the breaker bar and get some more leverage, allen strips inside. :unamused:
Go to other side, just to loosen up because I know I now need new endlinks... same thing. Tighten everything back up (what I can), put wheels back on and drive home (was at a buds house because I don't have a garage) with clanking endlinks.
If we were allowed aftermarket endlinks, I would have cut them right then and there because I'd have already had them. Time to order some and get them and try again before 1st event in a few weeks (one of which I'll not have a chance to do anything to the car).
--kC

I have dealt with this too many times, and then having to carefully cut them off with an angle grinder (shade tree mechanic). With end links or other connections like this where you may need to hold on to one end with an allen wrench that may strip, I carefully clean the threads with a wire brush or even a little wire wheel on a Dremel after soaking with penetrant before starting to loosen the nut.