Getting bolt out of destroyed bushing?

[fergulus]

I was installing some Tein SS coilovers on my talon, which was a complete breeze. The whole process took about 30 minutes, not including the drivers side... The process I was using to take out the spring/shock assembly was to take the tie rod off the front fork, loosen the shock bolt, and then take the bolt out of the lower control arm bushing correct my words if I am saying the wrong item) to slide the fork down and take the whole thing out in one piece.

What I found was that the bolt was thoroughly stuck, and would not budge. I had gone on to work on my motor mounts while my brother kept at that bolt, trying to get it out with a hammer . When I took a breaker bar and my body weight to the bolt, I succeeded in breaking the bolt loose, but also the rubber bushing! Now the bushing will turn and rubber bits are falling out, but I still cannot get the bolt to move out of that bushing.

I am also working to get my motor put back together, so this is something that I have not been able to give too much time to. I do have poly bushings on order for the entire suspension, but I will still need some way to get that bolt out. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[twicks69]

Torch the bushing and air-hammer the bolt out.


FYI -- be sure you have good ventilation, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

 

[fergulus]

While that would work well in some places, I am renting a bay at the Army's auto craft shop. I do not think they would appreciate a giant rubber fire!

What I think I will do is take a hacksaw to the bolt, and just buy a new one. I already have the bushing needed to replace it with, so I SHOULD be fine.

 

[twicks69]

Hacksaw, plasma cutter, sawzall w/ demolition blade....yeah...they all will work.

I like the rubber fire and a plasma cutter the best though...they are the most fun!

 

[fergulus]

I wont deny that a rolling rubber fire and melting metal would be an awesome release of tension over this build. I'll have to keep that in mind when I get her rolling out of the shop!