Hi All

I'm replacing thrust arms and the right rear track rod on my '88 190E 2.6. Thrust arms went ok. The track rod isn't. I was able to remove the balljoint, and the nut for the eccentric bolt.

Now, I only have the eccentric bolt to remove and it doesn't come off!! The head seems to be a 10mm XZN (12-point) which is rusted so badly that the bit just won't stick.

I can't hammer a slightly larger bit in because there is no space to get a hammer in.

I tried to hammer the bolt out from the other side (considering I removed the nut and it's only a simple bolt now), but no go. All hammering does is raise dust.

The bolt does rotate in place with the rod (which is now hanging from the subframe and can swivel).

The car has been in an accident recently and that particular rod was bent, which is why I'm replacing it. I think the accident may have driven the bolt deep into the track rod at that point.

Working space - I have about 3-4 in of space behind the bolt head, and about a foot and a half below it. I have about 6 inches (just enough to swing a hammer) on the other side of the bolt.

I just went and bought a chisel, will try in the AM. Will also try hammering the crap out of it. Soaked it in liquid wrench - will see what overnight yields....


Options?


In the pic, the bolt I'm talking about is 4a. The rubber mount 4b is integrated with the tierod. Hmm, can this be hammered out?

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'88 190E 2.6

I'm thinking that the bolt has rusted to the metal sleeve inside the bushing. I'd not waste too much time before I started cutting it out.

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1989 300 SEL that mostly works, but needs TLC