Basic facts: Bond in tussle with sultan before thugs cleared out (4,3,5)
I believe the answer is:
nuts and bolts
'basic facts' is the definition.
The definition suggests a plural noun which matches the answer.
'bond in tussle with sultan before thugs cleared out' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'bond' is 'ndbo' which is within the answer.
an anagram of 'sultan' is 'nutsal' which is located in the remaining letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nuts and bolts that I've seen before include "brass tacks?" , "Carries out hit-and-run attack" , "Basic essentials (colloq.)" , "Basic practical details" , "Fastening equipment" .)