Just received the shock absorbers from fcpgroton and today I started with the rear pair, figuring they are the easier ones. After struggling for two hours, I found I was wrong. The stubborn lower bolt of the shock absorber simply would not come out. When I turned the bolt, it turned together with the steel collar. It looked like the bolt was fused with the collar, and the collar broke away from the rubber bushing within the shocks. I tried a real big ball joint press loaned from autozone, but it kept sliping. Then I tried a 2.5lb sledge hammer, banged the living day light out of the bolt. It would not budge at all.
Now I am stuck here, the bolt won't come out, and the rubber bushing was damaged from the turning and it clunked like crazy. The thread was damaged from the banging, so I could not put back the nut.

Now what are my options? I am not comfortable with a torch as it's so close to the gas tank and brake hose. Using a hacksaw to cut the bolt into three piece seems to be the only option, but how long would it take as the bolt is hardened steel?

I figure I can drive around like without the nut installed (of course no freeway driving) as the bolt is fused and maybe will not fall out? Is there potential danger doing this?

If I ended up having a shop do this, could anyone recommend an independent volvo specialist in Worcester or Waltham?

Thanks in advance for any of your input.
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1994 944NA 100K miles