control arm question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: south bend indiana
control arm question
any clue on how to get the lower shock mount out of the strut rod. i have use pb blaster , a hammer it won't move. tried twisting with pipe wrench. i do not have a torch will that work any ideas ?????
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
From: ElP TX
I was lucky and mine came out easily (no rust here in the desert). I have read where others have had to buy replacements as the originals were just too rusted.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The shock mounts have a flat side so don't try to twist them out. You will just ruin both the mount and the carrier. This is one of those jobs where you will find many new combinations of curse words. There is a tool made for removing the mounts - basically a huge nut that you can screw on and beat the pi$$ out of with a hammer. I have read that a pipe cap can be purchased at a hardware store that will work.
If you are patient, you can try heating the mount and spraying PB on it - the heat will help the PB penetrate. Keep spraying PB on every day for a week or so.
If it's any consolation, sometimes even places like Van Steel can't get a mount off without destroying it, and they do it all the time.
I was able to get the mounts off my 72 frame, but I had the luxury of working on a bare frame so I was able to use an 8 lb sledge hammer.
If you are also removing the trailing arms start looking up some new curse words in the dictionary.
Rick B.
If you are patient, you can try heating the mount and spraying PB on it - the heat will help the PB penetrate. Keep spraying PB on every day for a week or so.
If it's any consolation, sometimes even places like Van Steel can't get a mount off without destroying it, and they do it all the time.
I was able to get the mounts off my 72 frame, but I had the luxury of working on a bare frame so I was able to use an 8 lb sledge hammer.
If you are also removing the trailing arms start looking up some new curse words in the dictionary.
Rick B.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
I just did my and had trouble removing the shock mouth until I raised the trailing arm to normal ride height when trying to remove the mount. If not at normal ride height the strut rod puts the mount in a bind making it difficult to remove. Hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
the cheapest way out of this will garner you a couple more tools, not a totally bad thing.
Get a grinder that you can put a thin wheel on from HD or wherever and a "Turbo Torch" both for around $50. Heat the lower mount til its friggin hot, squirt it with PB, keep a fire extinguisher handy. Heat, cool, squirt and beat it until it comes loose. If it does not, use the grinder to cut the strut rod, its cheaper than a carrier if it brakes.
Get a grinder that you can put a thin wheel on from HD or wherever and a "Turbo Torch" both for around $50. Heat the lower mount til its friggin hot, squirt it with PB, keep a fire extinguisher handy. Heat, cool, squirt and beat it until it comes loose. If it does not, use the grinder to cut the strut rod, its cheaper than a carrier if it brakes.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I had to heat the strut rod bushing sleeve on mine up with an oxy/acetylene torch to get it out. The other side popped right out. Unfortunately, the jammed up shock mount had wallowed out the spline holes on the bearing support, and I had to replace that. 
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07