Lower control arm removal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Lower control arm removal
On the lower control arms are three bolts holding it to the frame. On two of them, the bolt heads face toward the ground and is held by an anchor bolt. The other bolt head is faces upward. On the bolt head that faces upward is a hex head but part of it appears to be "mashed" in to the frame. Is that how the bolts came from the factory? With that said. How do I am I able to grip the bolt head in such a confined space to remove it?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,258
Likes: 949
From: Lake Tahoe, CA
No I did not but I now wonder if the previous owner(s) did. The supposed flat head of both bolts are not flat, it slopes at an angle as if someone ground it down or something. Anyway I'm asking how I would go about removing it, even if the bolt has is flat. The area is very small even to put a box end wrench on it to hold it while zapping the bottom nut with an impact gun.
Can you provide a photo ?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 247
Likes: 43
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
I read this as he was having issues with the lower rear mount bolt on the Lower control arm (the side with only 1 bolt).
I just did this job, and the way I did it was by taking a open ended wrench finding a spot that it would actually hook on and press against something while i turned the bottom. Otherwise, you need to have someone on the opposite side of the car holding that wrench down on the nut so it doesnt move.Its a real PITA, but not as bad as removing the upper control arm mounting studs.
I just did this job, and the way I did it was by taking a open ended wrench finding a spot that it would actually hook on and press against something while i turned the bottom. Otherwise, you need to have someone on the opposite side of the car holding that wrench down on the nut so it doesnt move.Its a real PITA, but not as bad as removing the upper control arm mounting studs.
Last edited by VirginiaVette78; Aug 7, 2018 at 05:20 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
The lower control rear mount bolt. The head of the bolt is not flat and only part of the hex head is sitting flush with the surface of the control arm. Cannot post photo due to the no space to take a pic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,258
Likes: 949
From: Lake Tahoe, CA
Would a deep thin wall socket work on top and( see as I believe the one fella mentioned ) secure the lower nut with vise grips pressing against something below/even if you have to rig a piece of wood or steel bar as a brace ?
Last edited by caskiguy; Aug 7, 2018 at 07:23 PM. Reason: Add photo
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 572
Likes: 61
Mine were in good shape and I was able to hold the head of the bolt with a regular open ended wrench. If yours are damaged and you can't stop the bolt from spinning then just cut the nut off with a grinder. No big deal to replace the bolts and nuts if you need to go that route.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,258
Likes: 949
From: Lake Tahoe, CA
Mine were in good shape and I was able to hold the head of the bolt with a regular open ended wrench. If yours are damaged and you can't stop the bolt from spinning then just cut the nut off with a grinder. No big deal to replace the bolts and nuts if you need to go that route.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Got the lowers off this afternoon. The bolt heads on the rear bolts weren't damaged, it was that the bolts were at an angle. Didn't take much to break them loose. Will get at the upper control arms tomorrow.
Last edited by Oldguard 7; Aug 8, 2018 at 06:34 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,258
Likes: 949
From: Lake Tahoe, CA
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
I must have lucked out when I did the bushings on my 68 convert. The A arms came right off and I had the GM bushing tool to remove and press on the bushings. Hope you get yours done without further issues.