Lower control arm bolts
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14,458 Posts
wrong forum
might have to cut them out and burn off the bushings. hammer and some heat goes a long way though.
might have to cut them out and burn off the bushings. hammer and some heat goes a long way though.
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46 Posts
It's just the bolt heads that are stuck. I can wiggle the bracket and the control arm. Wasn't sure if the bolt was threaded into something on the bushing or bracket. I work nights so I had to go get some sleep, soaked it in more pb blaster so I'm hoping that helped. Looks like I may have to cut them out. Every bolt under there is or was stuck. So much for a quick fix
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14,458 Posts
pretty common issue. they get seized in there real good.
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2,174 Posts
Had the same problem with my 2005 at 103K miles - I used the saws all to cut mine out - and replaced the bolts with PRG and the lower control arms with the MOOG problem solver. These have new bushings and ball joint already installed for you and the ball joint has a grease fitting
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46 Posts
Ya I think I'm going to have to cut them out. I can actually turn them about a face each way with my impact but theyre not coming out. I also noticed I put a hole in the inner tie rod boot from the torch. Awesome. Can't get the bolt out of the lower ball joint either.
I've bought moog upper and lower control arms along with tie rods a sway bar links.
This has turned into a pia and haven't even started on the bolts on the upper yet.
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2,174 Posts
Mine were simply horrible - turned but could not pound them out even with an air chisel - torch is a bad idea - you will set the rubber bushings on fire before you can get the metal hot enough to make them break free. I found the saws all was the only practical solution.
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46 Posts
Got one side finished today. Went and bought a saws all and a bunch of blades. Cut the lowers out in no time then went to the hardware store for bolts. Started on the other side but ran out of blades. Have two left to cut out. One on the lower and one on the upper this time. Oh and had to go pick up an inner tie rod tool cuz my crescent wasn't big enough. What a freaking pia. My back and my hands are killing me.
I can't believe how stuck those are. I zipped the nuts off no problem but the bolts and bushings melted together.
Thank to everyone for the help. This site has saved my *** many times.
I can't believe how stuck those are. I zipped the nuts off no problem but the bolts and bushings melted together.
Thank to everyone for the help. This site has saved my *** many times.
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421 Posts
Don't know if you should just put hardware store bolts in there. You might get some play / vibration or backing off of the nuts. If you're replacing the bolts you might consider either oem from the dealer or adjustable cam bolts from amazon, TAP, PRG, etc..
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46 Posts
Well they actually fit pretty good. No play. Plus put thread lock and lock washers on them also. Oem bolts were like 50$ per. The only issue I had were the ones I had to get for the lower ball joint. They didn't want to go through because of contact with the ball joint.
Time will tell. I'm going to do my breaks in a few weeks and I'll check them then.
Thanks man
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421 Posts
That's good to here. Glad you got it all put back together. BTW cam bolts are about $70 - $80 for all 4. Did you happen to get the alignment checked after you put those in? Doubt that it is but if it's off you might just want to put the cam bolts in there.
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46 Posts
Yep I took it in the next day after I finished. Drives great now. Can really tell a difference on the hiway. Also put in new u joints on the front shaft.
Besides front brakes I'm hoping that's it for awhile.
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223 Posts
A little confused here, I thought the lower control arm bolts are the cam bolts used for front end alignment. Have you had the front end aligned?
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46 Posts
Yes. I replaced everything. Upper and lower control arms, inner and outer tie rods and both half shafts. Had to replace all but one control arm bolt because I had to cut them off. They were stuck in the spacers. Then I got it aligned.
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421 Posts
The lca bolts can be used to adjust camber, but only if they are a special type of bolt. It's shaped funny so the tech can turn it to adjust the camber. Normal bolts will go in but you can't align the camber. A lot of people don't need the camber adjusted though.
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