Celica Forums General Discussion Exterior Hatch strut bolt stuck in

2. Remove the 2 bolts and back door stay from the body.
Do not strip the bolts by trying to unscrew them with only regular tools. For these bolts that were "impossible" to remove, I used a gas BBQ lighter [google.com] to heat up the "loctite" glue (blue) that Toyota used on the OEM trunk-shocks so it could be unscrewed from the trunk hatch.

More information on using heat to remove loctite can be found at: http://www.ehow.com/how_5201363_remove-loctite-bolts.html -- If you've never done this before, searching YouTube videos for "how to remove loctite bolt" could provide additional help.

5. Use your heat source on the remaining ballstud. I used a butane lighter for 20-30 seconds from less than half an inch away. Butane lighters are inexpensive and can be purchased from any liquor store for less than $2.00. I recommend the use of a butane lighter instead of a regular lighter because the flame of the butane is directional and can be "focused" directly on the bolt. This is important because the rubber seal of your hatch is an inch away from the bolt and is prone to damage from the heat.

6. Using your 12mm socket wrench, remove the cut ball-stud bolt:



It should twist right out now. You should see red stuff stuck in the threading on the bolt. This is the loctite that you burnt off with your heat source. When you're putting in the new bolt it will be a little difficult getting it in because there will be remaining locktite still in the threading of the trunk. Try to clear out as much of it as possible with your fingers.