Hi, finished putting new front brakes and noticed something. The bolt at the bottom of the strut assembly is missing. Doesn't look like the type of thing I'm likely to get off with a hand wrench at the salvage yard. I'm guessing I'd need an impact wrench, a good one. I'll try with a breaker bar.

How critical is it?
Are they hard to take off?

Someone messed in there before and somehow deleted the rotor shield. I'll try to get one from the salvage yard. While I'm there I'll try to get that bolt.

Missing bolt

 

I assume you looked from the other side of the strut as well?

Looks from this side, the bolt has been snapped off in place.

 

Good question, threads look fine, no bolt leftover, simply missing. Someone replaced the part before, it's possible the original broke in the removal.