today i took off my rear bumper because it was REALLY rusted. Figure id drive around with it off till i get a new one. I dont want the rust to continue on and end up getting to the frame besides its an eye sore. after removing the driver side i moved on to the passenger side. theres a bracket that comes out and connects to the bumper if you remove the two bolts the bumper will drop off, however the second bolt is all rusted and one corner is stripped. everytime i put the 3/4 socket on and tryed to unbolt it the socket would just end up setting crooked and wouldnt give me a good fit to get the force to break it loose. I tryed different ways to get this bolt off however could not manage. The whole passenger side of the bumper is shot. and barely connected to the bracket so i took my tin snips and cut the bumper off. However now im trying to get the bracket off. Any body have any ideas??
I was thinking if i got a socket that is only a smidge smaller id be able to get it on the bolt and crank it loose. im not that good with math so anybody know what would be the best socket to use i used a spark plug socket that is 3/4 (had to use the spark plug one because none of my other ones are deep enough to put on due to the fact there still some bolt protruding past the nut) oh i also tryed an 11/16 but wouldnt fit...

heres the bracket and the nut


also heres the bumber (i know how much you love pics)

 

Mr. Blue Wrench (torches)

 

Chemicals first. Then heat. A six point socket is the best plan..... Try some of your metric sockets. See if you can find one the right caliber that you can tap it on there.

 

I don't know if you can sneak one into that space, but if it'll go that's a job for a Vice Grip Locking Wrench. And my favorite squirty chemical of all, CRC Freeze Off.

Jamming the next smaller socket on there, the 11/16" you tried, is really a very bad idea. It almost never works, and when it does it ensures that one day you'll really need that smaller socket and when you lean on it it cracks.

Just so it's said: If you've got 12-point sockets in your box, throw them away. Or at least never use them on your older vehicles.

 

If you have a dremel, take a cut off wheel and cut the nut horizontally. Once it's cut all the way through, it'll come off

 

kejobe is right, bring out the torch!

 

i checked my sockets and they are all 6 point. at lunch today the 3/4 had too much play now. the 11/16 doesnt fit (even to tap it on) the 13/16 was too big. also the 17mm too small and the 19mm too big. Im going to try to find a 12/16 or a deep 18mm at work. If those dont fit my next step is to chop it off
now to chop it off would i go with the sawzaw or an angle grinder
(just found out that an 12/16 is equivalent to a 3/4 so it looks like 18 mm deep socket or hack it off

 

Is that a crome bumber?

 

i dont know when i got the truck 3 months ago it was rusted but it was painted the same color blue as the truck

 

If you arent' careful there, VDub, the cat's gonna kick sand over you.