I need help , lower control arm bolt

[RockSolidGST]

Those of you that of done suspension , im hoping you ran into the same problem and have a solution.... im in the process of doing my Struts/Springs ... All was going well with the front , did the left side... Now i took the nut off the lower control arm on the right side... but the bolt , will NOT budge... I cant get it to move , the car is on jackstands not causing any pressure on the control arm , Iv tryed use an impact gun to loosen it , it will not move.


Also the Yellow bumpstops on the factory shocks , dont fit tightly over the springs ( tockio illuminas ) and do i have to cut the bumpstops , any feedback would be apperciated , thansk guys

 

[erebusknight]

search first, but I did my tokico's in about 3 hours after a Subaru all nighter. You do have to cut the bump stops. make them about 2/3 of the original size. I just cut up to the first rib from bottom. Just get physical. Suspension stuff is usually really strong. Are you talking about the one that holds the strut right?

 

[RockSolidGST]

No the one below That go's threw the lower ball joint... There are 3 bolts that u have to remove , the swaybar link joint , the one the holds the strut in place those 2 came out fine.... I already did the left side... I have a 600ft/lbs impact gun... the nut came off fine , its just the bolt that wont budge... the other side just slid right out... i dont understand what could be keeping it stuck in place

 

[erebusknight]

are you doing a swaybar too I assume? I thought you were just doing the springs/shocks. In that case I still think you should try putting pressure on it at different angles and get semi rough with it. Is it really rusted to hell? PB that thing if so. Just keep at it and see if it moves at all
try prying, hammering moderately, etc.

worst case...break it off and get a new one

 

[RockSolidGST]

I wish i could upload pictures to explain , The bolt wont break , or move , i mean 600ft/lbs should fu**** atleast SPIN it... it wont even spin , its like its welded in there or something...


Its the lower bolt that go's threw the 2 joints , ( I could heat it , but i would melt the 2 bushings and .... i havn't seen if i can buy new ones yet. Well mabye ill do that just heat the hell out of it and buy new bushings...


Anyone else ever had this prob doing suspension!

 

[erebusknight]

so your putting a camber kit on as well or swaybar? If the gun wont even turn it in its place then you may mave to ruin it. The others spun freely correct? Bushings are a B**** to put in. I wouldnt try that

 

[Nanan]

I had that problem on my car when I did my suspension. I had that problem with a crapload of the bolts. I ended up sawzalling them out and going to Grangers and picking up a bunch of grade 8 metric bolts to replace them.


The bolts weld themselves to the metal sleaves in the bushings, you mostlikely will not break one free if your 600ft/lb impact wont budge em on the first bump.

 

[jtmcinder]

If we're talking about the bolt that holds the fork to the lower control arm, then I'm surprised that 600 foot-pounds wasn't enough to rip the bushing. Lucky for you, the control arm is not very expensive (partly because of the recall).

- Jtoby

 

[SAKONE]

Yeah I had the same problem. I soaked the area with whatever you use to loosen bolts and waited. Then I got a slighty bigger than 1ft. breaker bar and leveraged myself against the wall (my worksapce is small). It still didn't budge, so I extended the break bar with a piece of pipe. The only thing is I couldn't use a big bar because I would just hit the wall. Persistence.

 

[Wufei]

Yeah, I had trouble with those bolts too. Used PB Blaster, and then saw, finally got it out with a drill

 

[RockSolidGST]

Thanks guys problem solved... I ended up getting very mean with the bolt cutting it out and melthing the bushing , Buying a new bushing and bolt... i was sick of trying to mess around with it , thanks for the feedback

-andy

 

[jtmcinder]

I'm surprised you found anyone who would sell you just that bushing.

- Jtoby

ps. please don't say you're using a urethane bushing in that location, instead of rubber, as that will not make your shock happy