Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Terre Haute in
Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out?
I am in the process of removing alll the suspension from the frame, and everything is offn ow, except the left side trailing arm. The nut came off fine, but the bolt will not turn, nor will it drive out, its stuck!
Any suggestions befor ei break out the fire wrench?
I have soaked it well with penetrating iol, nu luck with that yet. The body is off the frame, so there is nothing in the way.
Thanks,
Matt
:smash:
Any suggestions befor ei break out the fire wrench?
I have soaked it well with penetrating iol, nu luck with that yet. The body is off the frame, so there is nothing in the way.
Thanks,
Matt
:smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out? (mboln52000)
I just did this on my frame (body off) and the bolts drove right out. you might try a sawzall and cut the bolt on either side of the TA
Steve :steering:
Steve :steering:
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 642
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From: Dallas Texas
Re: Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out? (mboln52000)
I had exactly the same problem. I'm doing a frame off and neither would come out. I took a small sledge to them and they wouldn't drive out. Ultimately I had to do what stpman said..... use a recip saw and cut the bolt on both sides of the trailing arm. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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From: Terre Haute in
Re: Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out? (Chumpzilla)
Did you guys remove the shimms and cut the bolt on the inside of the frame, or did you cut the bolt on the outside of the frame?
Thanks,
Matt
Thanks,
Matt
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 227
From: N Cal
Re: Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out? (mboln52000)
Try and remove the shims, this will allow the sawblade a perfect place to cut thru. Home Depot has some good metal cutting blades for the Sawzall, get the longest ones you can. It will make the job easier. Good Luck!
:cheers:
:cheers:
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 334
Likes: 1
From: Averill Park N.Y.
Re: Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out? (mboln52000)
I did cut mine outside the frame but you still have to remove the shims cause you have to move the t-arm from side to side to remove it.
:yesnod:
:yesnod:
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Thread Starter
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From: Terre Haute in
Re: Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out? (l2vette)
Cool, i think I have it now. I have the cotter pin out, so the shimms hsould knock out easlily? Maybe they will.
If they are out, there should be plenty of room then. I do have a couple of long blades laying around for the sawzall, so they should do the trick!
Thanks for all the tips and advice! This board really is helpful, I appreciate everybodies input!
:cheers:
If they are out, there should be plenty of room then. I do have a couple of long blades laying around for the sawzall, so they should do the trick!
Thanks for all the tips and advice! This board really is helpful, I appreciate everybodies input!
:cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 153
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From: San Antonio TX
Re: Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out? (mboln52000)
the trick is definitely to yank the shims out first. I just did mine yesterday :hurray: and it was slow going until they popped loose.
Am I the only one who didn't have to cut the bolts? Once the shims were out, my bolts pretty much popped right out. Should the bolts be that tight inside the bushing tube?
Ben
[Modified by Ben's75, 2:07 PM 5/17/2004]
Am I the only one who didn't have to cut the bolts? Once the shims were out, my bolts pretty much popped right out. Should the bolts be that tight inside the bushing tube?
Ben
[Modified by Ben's75, 2:07 PM 5/17/2004]
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From: Terre Haute in
Re: Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out? (mboln52000)
Okay, the arm is out.
I broke the nut side of the bolt off flush with the frame when i tried to loosen it. So, i center punched it, and drilled a pilot hole, 1/4 diameter, about 1: deep, or about to the bushing. Then, I dirilled a hole one size smaller than the bolt, the same depth. This bit followeed the pilot hole, and ate away the bolt as it went.
I took the side arm grinder and ground off the bolt head and washer on the inside of the frame. I was able to get the shimms all out at this point, and the trailing arm was preyed over to the outside since the bolt was gobe over there, and i was able to work it out of the frame.
It went pretty good. I didnt want to use the firewrench, or the sawzall really, and i think this was faster.
I broke the nut side of the bolt off flush with the frame when i tried to loosen it. So, i center punched it, and drilled a pilot hole, 1/4 diameter, about 1: deep, or about to the bushing. Then, I dirilled a hole one size smaller than the bolt, the same depth. This bit followeed the pilot hole, and ate away the bolt as it went.
I took the side arm grinder and ground off the bolt head and washer on the inside of the frame. I was able to get the shimms all out at this point, and the trailing arm was preyed over to the outside since the bolt was gobe over there, and i was able to work it out of the frame.
It went pretty good. I didnt want to use the firewrench, or the sawzall really, and i think this was faster.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
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From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out? (Ben's75)
Am I the only one who didn't have to cut the bolts?
[Modified by Ben's75, 2:07 PM 5/17/2004]
[Modified by Ben's75, 2:07 PM 5/17/2004]
Steve :steering:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,097
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From: Olive Branch MS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out? (stpman)
[QUOTE]
Am I the only one who didn't have to cut the bolts?
[Modified by Ben's75, 2:07 PM 5/17/2004]
Yes.
Am I the only one who didn't have to cut the bolts?
[Modified by Ben's75, 2:07 PM 5/17/2004]
Yes.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
Re: Trailing arm bolt stuck, how would you get it out? (brooksman9)
***
[QUOTE]
Am I the only one who didn't have to cut the bolts?
[Modified by Ben's75, 2:07 PM 5/17/2004]
Yes.
***
lol @ brooksman9. Not trying to rub it in.... :leaving:
It just struck me that everyone else who did this with the body on had way more trouble. I guess I got lucky...
Ben
[QUOTE]
Am I the only one who didn't have to cut the bolts?
[Modified by Ben's75, 2:07 PM 5/17/2004]
Yes.
***
lol @ brooksman9. Not trying to rub it in.... :leaving:
It just struck me that everyone else who did this with the body on had way more trouble. I guess I got lucky...
Ben
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 98
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I know this is an old thread but I just faced this and found a very easy way to do it. Side note here, I had the body off so open access to the nut and bolt. Anyway though I'd share in case it helps someone else.
I started with taking out the shims on the side of the arm that had the most. Then cut the bolt head or threads off on the outside of the opposite side with a cut-off wheel (same as angle grinder, but air powered) Then with a wedge (I used a cold chisel) I wedged the trailing arm bushing away from the side I just cut which let me easily remove the rest of the shims and also extended the uncut side of the bolt out far enough to cut that side off as well with the cut-off wheel. after that the bolt that was left was easily short enough to just slide out of the trailing arm pocket.
Then I did the other side of the car the same way. Took maybe 20 minutes total to remove, bag and tag everything.
I started with taking out the shims on the side of the arm that had the most. Then cut the bolt head or threads off on the outside of the opposite side with a cut-off wheel (same as angle grinder, but air powered) Then with a wedge (I used a cold chisel) I wedged the trailing arm bushing away from the side I just cut which let me easily remove the rest of the shims and also extended the uncut side of the bolt out far enough to cut that side off as well with the cut-off wheel. after that the bolt that was left was easily short enough to just slide out of the trailing arm pocket.
Then I did the other side of the car the same way. Took maybe 20 minutes total to remove, bag and tag everything.
Last edited by bowtie_fly; Apr 8, 2020 at 01:14 PM.
