help! worst nightmare

[99prolx]

I am stuck. I've been tracking down this thumping/humming noise in the front end of my 99 protege 1.6 m/t. What has been replaced is; struts, wheel bearings, cv shafts, rotors, calipers and pads. I've finally tracked down the noise. It happens at all speeds from 3mph until infinity. Gets louder when turning right and/or braking. Its the intermediate shaft bearing, I found the dust sheilds have come off and left the bearing exposed. Sure id just buy the part from mazda and slap it in, one problem. The upper bolt on the back of the engine block spins free, but wont come out. Wont tighten either. Id cut the head off the bolt but I can't get to it... what do I do?!

 

[99prolx]

Also I can't feel this in my steering wheel or brake pedal...I hope I don't have to pull the motor to get access the bolt head to cut it off. Did I mention im tired of fixing my mazda?

 

[tweety2300]

Try chizzling it out if it's stripped that bad then you could possibly pull it out? Would you like to trade mazdas?

 

[99prolx]

I love my protege to death. Lowered it with ground control sleeves. Bought, painted and installed my side skirts and sedan lip. Replaced basically all of the suspension and brakes. Replaced my clutch with an exedy Stage one. As soon as I fix the intermediate shaft im selling it. I want an mk3 gti vr6. Always have. And tweety, thanks for the advice but I've tried prying it while turning the bolt. Unbolted the other bolt and used a ratchet strat around the shaft. Nothin helps.

 

[AzteCypher]

Should just back out. Don't mean to sound stupid but make sure the bolt is not getting caught on anything else while you're trying to pull it out. (Such as the head hitting the firewall, etc.) Can you get a dremel in there to try and cut the head off?

 

[99prolx]

Im probably going to try a dremel. I can actually get an air ratchet on it and it freely spins either way. I can spen it with my fingers lol I gotta try getting a screw driver or chisel behind it again while I turn it.