Trailing Arm Bolt Removal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 165
Likes: 15
Trailing Arm Bolt Removal
The 72 C3 trailing arms will not give up either bolt that goes through the frame. The frame is off the car so I have plenty of room to work.
So far here’s what has been attempted:
1) Heat from an induction coil - nothing
2) Krol Oil - lots of it over several weeks - both bolts will rotate
3) Mapp gas - lots - no back and forth movement of bolts
4) Air chisel impact gun - no effect
** Both bolts will rotate but will not move/slide out.
Suggestions?
So far here’s what has been attempted:
1) Heat from an induction coil - nothing
2) Krol Oil - lots of it over several weeks - both bolts will rotate
3) Mapp gas - lots - no back and forth movement of bolts
4) Air chisel impact gun - no effect
** Both bolts will rotate but will not move/slide out.
Suggestions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,553
Likes: 1,983
From: Temple Terrace Florida
If you tried all of that, the only thing left to do is load a sawzall with a carbide blade and cut the bolt(s) out. It is much easier if the shims are out. Use a decent cutting oil to keep things cool. Those bolts are grade 8, so take your time. I bought a few blades because they can break. Good luck. Jerry
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,209
Likes: 4,034
From: Connecticut, USA
Interesting the bolt rotates but you can't drive it out.
I had some there were so rust seized they wouldn't move at all. Cutting them out is the way to go. Usually, a Sawzall is all you need; I have burned them out but that is messy and could be risky.
I had some there were so rust seized they wouldn't move at all. Cutting them out is the way to go. Usually, a Sawzall is all you need; I have burned them out but that is messy and could be risky.
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Gary got it right. The bushing is shot and the bolt is seized to the sleeve. Remove the shims and cut the bolt inside the pocket on both sides with a sawsall. You can then drive the bushings out and rebuild the arms.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 165
Likes: 15
No need for the carbide blades. They are getting returned.
Once the trailing arm spacers were removed I was able to cut off the bolts (cut-off blade on a hand held grinder) from the outside. The trailing arm wiggled out.
I didn’t realize the spacers were causing the problems.
Once the trailing arm spacers were removed I was able to cut off the bolts (cut-off blade on a hand held grinder) from the outside. The trailing arm wiggled out.
I didn’t realize the spacers were causing the problems.
