Upper Control Arm bolts - Help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 237
Likes: 3
Upper Control Arm bolts - Help
1980 L48 Auto
I've watched every video I could find on removing the front suspension. Unfortunately the ones I've seen have the body off the car. My problem is the upper control arm bolts, passenger's side, that hold the bushing bar to the frame. I know about slide hammering the bolts out once I remove the nuts. What I'd like to know is what size are the nuts and how did you get them off (special wrench, swivel socket, magic, etc). Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated. BTW, driver's side is already disassembled.
I've watched every video I could find on removing the front suspension. Unfortunately the ones I've seen have the body off the car. My problem is the upper control arm bolts, passenger's side, that hold the bushing bar to the frame. I know about slide hammering the bolts out once I remove the nuts. What I'd like to know is what size are the nuts and how did you get them off (special wrench, swivel socket, magic, etc). Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated. BTW, driver's side is already disassembled.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I believe the nut is a 7/16 - 14 But it sounds to me like the stud is turning when you try to remove the nut.
Hopefully the splines on the stud are the only thing allowing it to slip and you don't need to repair the hole in the frame.
Hopefully the splines on the stud are the only thing allowing it to slip and you don't need to repair the hole in the frame.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Oct 12, 2014 at 08:52 AM.
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
Nuts for the upper control are shaft should be on the engine side. Bolt heads outboard. Nuts are 5/8 wrench size IIRC. If they are installed correctly all you'll need is a 5/8 open end wrench to remove them.
If the bolts are installed backwards(head inboard) you'll need a deep socket and a universal joint to get under the A arm to hold the nut. then turn the bolt head to remove them.
If the bolts are installed correctly the bolt should not spin as the section under the head is splined to provide a interferrence fit into the frame.
If it does spin just use a 5/8 wobbly socket to hold the head.
Get new replacement bolts. Doorman replacements have a bigger spline so they grip a hole thats been buggered by a spinning bolt
If the bolts are installed backwards(head inboard) you'll need a deep socket and a universal joint to get under the A arm to hold the nut. then turn the bolt head to remove them.
If the bolts are installed correctly the bolt should not spin as the section under the head is splined to provide a interferrence fit into the frame.
If it does spin just use a 5/8 wobbly socket to hold the head.
Get new replacement bolts. Doorman replacements have a bigger spline so they grip a hole thats been buggered by a spinning bolt
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Nuts for the upper control are shaft should be on the engine side. Bolt heads outboard. Nuts are 5/8 wrench size IIRC. If they are installed correctly all you'll need is a 5/8 open end wrench to remove them.
If the bolts are installed backwards(head inboard) you'll need a deep socket and a universal joint to get under the A arm to hold the nut. then turn the bolt head to remove them.
If the bolts are installed correctly the bolt should not spin as the section under the head is splined to provide a interferrence fit into the frame.
If it does spin just use a 5/8 wobbly socket to hold the head.
Get new replacement bolts. Doorman replacements have a bigger spline so they grip a hole thats been buggered by a spinning bolt
If the bolts are installed backwards(head inboard) you'll need a deep socket and a universal joint to get under the A arm to hold the nut. then turn the bolt head to remove them.
If the bolts are installed correctly the bolt should not spin as the section under the head is splined to provide a interferrence fit into the frame.
If it does spin just use a 5/8 wobbly socket to hold the head.
Get new replacement bolts. Doorman replacements have a bigger spline so they grip a hole thats been buggered by a spinning bolt
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Nuts for the upper control are shaft should be on the engine side. Bolt heads outboard. Nuts are 5/8 wrench size IIRC. If they are installed correctly all you'll need is a 5/8 open end wrench to remove them.
If the bolts are installed backwards(head inboard) you'll need a deep socket and a universal joint to get under the A arm to hold the nut. then turn the bolt head to remove them.
If the bolts are installed correctly the bolt should not spin as the section under the head is splined to provide a interferrence fit into the frame.
If it does spin just use a 5/8 wobbly socket to hold the head.
Get new replacement bolts. Doorman replacements have a bigger spline so they grip a hole thats been buggered by a spinning bolt
If the bolts are installed backwards(head inboard) you'll need a deep socket and a universal joint to get under the A arm to hold the nut. then turn the bolt head to remove them.
If the bolts are installed correctly the bolt should not spin as the section under the head is splined to provide a interferrence fit into the frame.
If it does spin just use a 5/8 wobbly socket to hold the head.
Get new replacement bolts. Doorman replacements have a bigger spline so they grip a hole thats been buggered by a spinning bolt
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 232
Likes: 2
From: Langley B.C Canada
1980 L48 Auto
I've watched every video I could find on removing the front suspension. Unfortunately the ones I've seen have the body off the car. My problem is the upper control arm bolts, passenger's side, that hold the bushing bar to the frame. I know about slide hammering the bolts out once I remove the nuts. What I'd like to know is what size are the nuts and how did you get them off (special wrench, swivel socket, magic, etc). Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated. BTW, driver's side is already disassembled.
I've watched every video I could find on removing the front suspension. Unfortunately the ones I've seen have the body off the car. My problem is the upper control arm bolts, passenger's side, that hold the bushing bar to the frame. I know about slide hammering the bolts out once I remove the nuts. What I'd like to know is what size are the nuts and how did you get them off (special wrench, swivel socket, magic, etc). Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated. BTW, driver's side is already disassembled.