Frozen Bolt!
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Palm Harbor Florida
Frozen Bolt!
Any ideas on how to free up a frozen bolt I encountered while trying to lower the front..I was successful on getting one side turned but ran into trouble on the other..Its so frozen I broke my wratchet so Im done trying to muscle it! Help!
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From: Hereford AZ
If your car is an older c5 this can happen. I recommend if you want to lower it, pull off the front spring. Then put it in a vice, spray penetrating fuild and turn the bolt (lower area) with a small pipe wrench. It should come loose. By the way, if you didn't round the bolt end and broke your ratchet; I'd say you need to get a better quailty ratchet.
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
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If worse comes to worse, use a big (6"?) C-clamp to hold the spring in place and cut that puppy in two with a hacksaw or sawzall. Replace it with a new one.
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
Look at the top of the spring where the adjustment bolt comes through. There is a little trough that surrounds the bolt. Fill that area with the lubricant and wait for it to do its work. I prefer PB BLASTER. I only sprayed the bolt above the spring so I could see it penetrating below the spring.
It may take a few hours, but once you notice the lubricant has penetrated the bolt threads and spring insert, and wicked down beneath the spring, then you should be ready to proceed.
Sometimes, the bolt and spring insert get so corroded with rust that they can be literally welded together and unable to be adjusted. That will require another spring/bolt(s).
The rubber bushing may also vulcanize to the control arm. Use a metal putty knife and more spray lubricant to loosen the bushing from the control arm. Once freed and the adjustments can be made, apply lubricant to the bushing to prevent vulcanization from occurring in the future. I prefer white lithium grease.
It may take a few hours, but once you notice the lubricant has penetrated the bolt threads and spring insert, and wicked down beneath the spring, then you should be ready to proceed.
Sometimes, the bolt and spring insert get so corroded with rust that they can be literally welded together and unable to be adjusted. That will require another spring/bolt(s).
The rubber bushing may also vulcanize to the control arm. Use a metal putty knife and more spray lubricant to loosen the bushing from the control arm. Once freed and the adjustments can be made, apply lubricant to the bushing to prevent vulcanization from occurring in the future. I prefer white lithium grease.
