Control arm removal

[brassc2007]

I have read many upon many of the control arm revomal threads but not had any details or suggestions on my problem. I am removing the lower control arm but the bolt that goes through the strut fork and the bolt that go through frame will not come out. They are rusted to the round metal inserts inside the rubber bushings and the rubber bushings are shot so the bolt just spins and spins. I have got the nuts off of them but i cannot get the bolt out. I have hammered it, heating it, and nothing works. The only thing that i can think of to do is to cut the bolts on each side of the control arm so it drops out and replace the bolts. I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions or tips on how to remove them.

The areas circled in green are the metal sleeves that are rusted solid to the bolts holding the bolts in so they wont come out.

 

[cruisintalonawd]

If you tried hitting them weith a hammer and there still not moving then I would you going to have to cut it

 

[coryd]

I bet your gunna have to cut on the bolt on each side. You will have to replace it and the bushings

 

[wret]

I've never had that in the front but that's the same problem that plagues the rear toe control arms. I wrote a guide to cutting them out that you might be able to apply to the fronts.

 

[brassc2007]

Alright thanx wret. I got them cut out but i purchased some bolts at my local fleet farm my only problem is, is that im wondering if the bolts need to be tight fighting into the control arm of if they can be a little lose. I just wanna figure this out before i bolt it back together.

 

[wret]

They should slide into the bushing with very little clearance. Otherwise they would rattle around.

 

[brassc2007]

Alrighty i got it now finally. My local parts store are a bunch or morones so i went to my hardware store and bought a couple grade 8 bolts and got them in there. It was a very tight fit.

 

[sburna]

Alrighty i got it now finally. My local parts store are a bunch or morones so i went to my hardware store and bought a couple grade 8 bolts and got them in there. It was a very tight fit.

What size bolts did you get, because I had to cut that same lower mounting bolt during replacing my axles and the auto parts in my area dont carry a listing for it. Thanks in advance.

 

[bushy]

Just get the bolts from the dealer, they are only a few bucks a piece.

 

[sburna]

Just get the bolts from the dealer, they are only a few bucks a piece.

The thing is the parts department is closed at the dealer, and i wanted to finish this today or tomorrow so i was going to try and pick up some grade 8 bolts at lowes or something. But I guess ill have to wait till monday. Thanks for the reply.

 

[brassc2007]

resolved