stuck a arm bolt
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 185
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From: kill devil hills nc
stuck a arm bolt
trying to get the lower a arm off. The two front bolts came off pretty easy. Took the nut of the back bolt ok also. But the bolt in the back seems to be seized in the control arm shaft. The shaft will not come off the frame because of this bolt. I have tried hitting the bolt upwards and out but will not budge. I can turn the bolt a little but only with the arm shaft moving with it. They seemed to be frozen/rusted together. I tried a pickle fork but no luck. Any ideas beside drilling bolt out thru the bottom, which will be a big pain.
thanks
thanks
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
trying to get the lower a arm off. The two front bolts came off pretty easy. Took the nut of the back bolt ok also. But the bolt in the back seems to be seized in the control arm shaft. The shaft will not come off the frame because of this bolt. I have tried hitting the bolt upwards and out but will not budge. I can turn the bolt a little but only with the arm shaft moving with it. They seemed to be frozen/rusted together. I tried a pickle fork but no luck. Any ideas beside drilling bolt out thru the bottom, which will be a big pain.
thanks
thanks
That bolt is way to big to try to drill ot in my openion.
David
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
You might have luck by soaking it with PB Blaster or your favorite penetrating oil and working the bolt loose with a long breaker bar. If the bolt head breaks off, then your immediate problem is solved.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: kill devil hills nc
I have PB Buster on it. i guess i need to keep soaking it. Yea it is kinda big to drill out plus it is probably hardened steel.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Spanish Fort Alabama
stuck a arm bolt
I don't believe the head will break off. Bolt is too large and most likely a grade #8 bolt. It is rusted to the bushing sleeve. Use the PB blaster and a breaker bar to possibly work it loose. If this doesn't work, you could cut the bolt head off (grinding is best) and try to break the bolt loose by tightening the nut end with an impact. It may pull the bolt's shaft through the sleeve.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
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From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
I'll echo what everyone else has said but also ask if you have the spring out so that there is no force on the cross shaft and bolt? Otherwise soak it good and then try some heat on it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 185
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From: kill devil hills nc
The spring is out. Nut off the bolt and I can totate a little the cross shaft and bolt until it hits the frame. The bolt is rusted to the a arm cross shaft. I tried hitting it upwards but no luck. So it is sitting and soaking. What a pain.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 185
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From: kill devil hills nc
yes they are out. should I put them in partially and then pry the dogbone down at the big bolt end????
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
By chance, is the serrated washer stuck on the top?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 185
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From: kill devil hills nc
no the bolt can turn with the dog bone. The bolt is stuck in the dog bone/cross shaft and spins when I put a wrench/socket on it, until the a arm hits something and stops..
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Suffern NY
Had the same problem. If you have an air compressor, pick up an air hammer with a blunt tip attachment. Use the air hammer to "push" the bolt up thru the cross shaft and out. My 1st side w/o air hammer took 4 hours of pounding/ prying/ heating and ultimately a ruined cross shaft from drilling aounrd the bolt. 2nd side 30 seconds with the air hammer- no damage. Good Luck!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 185
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From: kill devil hills nc
Had the same problem. If you have an air compressor, pick up an air hammer with a blunt tip attachment. Use the air hammer to "push" the bolt up thru the cross shaft and out. My 1st side w/o air hammer took 4 hours of pounding/ prying/ heating and ultimately a ruined cross shaft from drilling aounrd the bolt. 2nd side 30 seconds with the air hammer- no damage. Good Luck!!
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: Royal Oak MI
If they are anything like mine, nothing will work besides heat. I wasted so much time trying to get bolts off this car. That is until I got the MAP gas. I don't even waste my time anymore with PB or any of that crap. HEAT always works.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: kill devil hills nc
I will try heat next week end. Hope it works
Senior Member since 1492
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
That bolt was a PIA, both sides. If I had to do it over again, I think I'd work on the single bolt first.
Good luck.
Good luck.