Help!!! Control arms

[1stMerc]

Trying to replace control arms. Lower passenger side went fine, but can't get upper control arm bolts to come out. Tried raising/lowering axle, prying up on them, lubing the hell out of them. All they do is spin. Even tried pickle fork on the frame one, but only moved out an 1/8. Figure if I can at least get one out the other would be easy.
This is just the second...

All suggestions welcome.

BTW, they are Zack & Mac's

[fastblackmerc]

Trying to replace control arms. Lower passenger side went fine, but can't get upper control arm bolts to come out. Tried raising/lowering axle, prying up on them, lubing the hell out of them. All they do is spin. Even tried pickle fork on the frame one, but only moved out an 1/8. Figure if I can at least get one out the other would be easy.
This is just the second...

All suggestions welcome.

BTW, they are Zack & Mac's

Since the controls arms used the stock bushings it sounds like the bolts are rusted to the metal sleeves in the bushings.....

Liberal amounts of PB Blaster, time, heat and shock (BFH) should break them loose.

FYI.... PB Blaster maybe flammable. I don't have access to a can to verify.

Might be a reason to swap out the control arms for Metcos that do not use the factory bushings.

[justbob]

Since the controls arms used the stock bushings it sounds like the bolts are rusted to the metal sleeves in the bushings.....

Liberal amounts of PB Blaster, time, heat and shock (BFH) should break them loose.

FYI.... PB Blaster maybe flammable. I don't have access to a can to verify.

Might be a reason to swap out the control arms for Metcos that do not use the factory bushings.

Bingo. Might want to try the pickle fork along with an air gun after you've used liberal amounts of PB. Just keep pressure on the bolt head while turning.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

[1stMerc]

That was and still is it. Passenger side done and lower on drivers side. Wouldn't you know it last axle bolt on upper ain't budging. Drowned it in WD 40 Specialist and Seafoam Deep Creep, BFH'ed it both sides. No room to get pickle fork in. Tried heat but feared it might just cause sleeve to start spinning in bushing. Even whipped out the extra large channel locks.
Afraid that joker just have to stay in there till next weekend. Maybe the juice will work it's way in more.
What's weird is the lower arm bolts were clean as a whistle. Not so with the uppers.

Don't know if it will help, but I put anti-seize on the shank of the upper bolts.

Btw, replacing with Sparta control arms.

[Mr. Man]

Sounds like you have they same lucky charm I do. If I had a nickel for every time I've said 'there's always one in the box' I could retire.


Any chance you can cut the bolt off? Replace with stainless.

[1stMerc]

LOL, I expected at least one of then to be stubborn but three, oy e vay...

Shoot I can't even get the head to poke out enough to get a blade in there. End of the bolt is starting to mushroom from the 3 pound BFH. Biggest problem there isn't enough room to get a good whack at it. Hopefully the lube will work in enough by this weekend.

[justbob]

If you were only closer buddy.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

[1stMerc]

Ain't that the truth.

I think Samantha (the car) is trying to get me to draw blood or bust a knuckle.

[fastblackmerc]

LOL, I expected at least one of then to be stubborn but three, oy e vay...

Shoot I can't even get the head to poke out enough to get a blade in there. End of the bolt is starting to mushroom from the 3 pound BFH. Biggest problem there isn't enough room to get a good whack at it. Hopefully the lube will work in enough by this weekend.

Keep spraying it and rotating the bolt. Try tapping it back in.

Are the bolts damaged? If so replace them.

[camelgrundle]

I had the same problem. I just kept jacking up one side and lowering the other a few times and they finally broke loose! I thought I was doing something wrong at first. And copious amounts of pb blaster

[1stMerc]

Keep spraying it and rotating the bolt. Try tapping it back in.

Are the bolts damaged? If so replace them.


I had the same problem. I just kept jacking up one side and lowering the other a few times and they finally broke loose! I thought I was doing something wrong at first. And copious amounts of pb blaster

That's what I've been doing drowning it in lubricant and whacking an turning. Prying on the brackets to get the penetrant down by bolt and sleeve. This last one may be truly fused with the sleeve and rotating inside the bushing itself.

camelgrundle me thinks it's time to invest in a floor jack to implement your
solution. using them scissor jacks would do me in long before the bolt came out :lol:

Like you said fbm may just be a matter of time for the juice to seep in.

[lifespeed]

You don't have a floor jack ?!

[kmastl]

I were in town I would come by and help you out. Trust me I would get that sucker out one way or another.

[1stMerc]

You don't have a floor jack ?!

:hide: Never needed one before :loco:

[1stMerc]

I were in town I would come by and help you out. Trust me I would get that sucker out one way or another.

Oh, that sucker will come out...

[Mr. Man]

There's always this option :D

http://images.wikia.com/deadliestfiction/images/0/0b/Dynomite.jpg (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=FhVo4-YTzAVV4M&tbnid=S46Vhh6n6MApbM:&ved=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdeadliestfict ion.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FFile%3A Dynomite.jpg&ei=BOZsUbehNfC70AHe_4GADA&bvm=bv.45175338,d.dmQ&psig=AFQjCNGMvmNvpr7qeDWvAoG-8DDrYaai6w&ust=1366177669109667)

[1stMerc]

There's always this option :D

http://images.wikia.com/deadliestfiction/images/0/0b/Dynomite.jpg (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=FhVo4-YTzAVV4M&tbnid=S46Vhh6n6MApbM:&ved=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdeadliestfict ion.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FFile%3A Dynomite.jpg&ei=BOZsUbehNfC70AHe_4GADA&bvm=bv.45175338,d.dmQ&psig=AFQjCNGMvmNvpr7qeDWvAoG-8DDrYaai6w&ust=1366177669109667)

Only as a last, last, last, last, last, last, last, last, last, last, last, last, last, resort :beer:

[DOOM]

I've been doing drowning it in lubricant and whacking an turning.



Oh, that sucker will come out...



THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!! :lol:

[1stMerc]

Doh!!! you Doom you.

[MMcactusflower]

Good luck with that last one...and good info. I hope to add those control arms to my DTR at some point too.

[Blackened300a]

I believe I used a prybar on the back while threading it out. Try putting pressure on the bolt either on the control arm itself or under the head of the bolt when removing it so the threads have something to bite into.

[1stMerc]

Good luck with that last one...and good info. I hope to add those control arms to my DTR at some point too.

Seriously, I hope you have better luck with the uppers than I've encountered thus for. Best advice try to get as much lube in there a couple of days before you go for it. PB Blaster or WD40 Specialist. If you can get the head of the bolt to stick out from the bracket, you got it made. Mine have been on since about 35000 currently at 91000 rain&snow.


I believe I used a prybar on the back while threading it out. Try putting pressure on the bolt either on the control arm itself or under the head of the bolt when removing it so the threads have something to bite into.

Paul, I already tried the pry bar route. You can see the eye of the arm raise and lower as you turn the bolt. Sort of like a cam lobe effect. Hoping the lube hasn't washed out given all the rain we've had lately with more to come in the next couple of days.

[Blackened300a]

Paul, I already tried the pry bar route. You can see the eye of the arm raise and lower as you turn the bolt. Sort of like a cam lobe effect. Hoping the lube hasn't washed out given all the rain we've had lately with more to come in the next couple of days.

Ok, The bolt is worn as well as the inside of the control arms from the mileage. Are you using hand tools or a impact gun? With pressure on the arm and enough rpm you may be able to spin it out. The spray isn't doing too much to break it free, its not rust that holding it, its getting the bolt wear pattern lined up with the inside of the control arm so it slides out. Its similar to when I changed mine out in my crown vic. The bolts were worn so bad that they were different diameters all along the shank. If you can gain a little clearance behind the head of the bolt, Id suggest getting a hacksaw or whiz wheel and just cut the head of the bolt off and then with a hammer and punch, hammer it forward to get it out. I'm not sure about how much clearance between the mount and the air bag so you may have to cut twice to avoid puncture if its in the way.

[justbob]

Sounds like its time for a grinder..


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

[1stMerc]

Ok, The bolt is worn as well as the inside of the control arms from the mileage. Are you using hand tools or a impact gun? With pressure on the arm and enough rpm you may be able to spin it out. The spray isn't doing too much to break it free, its not rust that holding it, its getting the bolt wear pattern lined up with the inside of the control arm so it slides out. Its similar to when I changed mine out in my crown vic. The bolts were worn so bad that they were different diameters all along the shank. If you can gain a little clearance behind the head of the bolt, Id suggest getting a hacksaw or whiz wheel and just cut the head of the bolt off and then with a hammer and punch, hammer it forward to get it out. I'm not sure about how much clearance between the mount and the air bag so you may have to cut twice to avoid puncture if its in the way.

Hmmm, The bushing itself isn't rotating but I think the sleeve inside the bushing may have broke loose from the rubber. It may also be rusted to the bolt. That's the way the other sleeve and bolt was. Managed to get enough lube in to loosen/soften the rust. A few good whacks with the BFH knocked it free. This one is rusted even more so The head doesn't move away from the bracket to get anything behind it. Not enough room for my impact and the bolt does free spin. The nut is off, that was no problem.

But as you say "With pressure on the arm and enough rpm you may be able to spin it out." **** it just a bit and let the threads do the work.

[1stMerc]

Sounds like its time for a grinder..


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

But first i'm going out and buying a floor jack. :D

Do you think you can get those size bolts at Harbor Freight?

[1stMerc]

There's always this option :D

http://images.wikia.com/deadliestfiction/images/0/0b/Dynomite.jpg (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=FhVo4-YTzAVV4M&tbnid=S46Vhh6n6MApbM:&ved=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdeadliestfict ion.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FFile%3A Dynomite.jpg&ei=BOZsUbehNfC70AHe_4GADA&bvm=bv.45175338,d.dmQ&psig=AFQjCNGMvmNvpr7qeDWvAoG-8DDrYaai6w&ust=1366177669109667)

You got this in a smaller size?

[Blackened300a]

But first i'm going out and buying a floor jack. :D

Do you think you can get those size bolts at Harbor Freight?

I wouldn't use the bolts that harbor frieght supplies with their trans jack and engine stand let alone using them to keep my rear diff in place. I would search out a bolt supply store and pick up a set of grade 8s to replace them with or head to the local ford dealer and get a set.

[lifespeed]

Use Ford bolts, they are shouldered.

[1stMerc]

Booyah!!!

The bolt is out!!! .........finally.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

:)

[Mr. Man]

:banana: :banana: :banana::banana: :banana:

[WhatsUpDOHC]

What, finally, got it?? :beer::beer:

[justbob]

Booyah!!!

The bolt is out!!! .........finally.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

:)

See! It was EASY!! All I did was watch this thread and the bolt litterly FELL OUT!!!

Congrats Waymon!!


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

[1stMerc]

What, finally, got it?? :beer::beer:

Iron will and determination + BFH + 2 blade screw drivers + drum brake adjust tool + pry bar + lots of PB Blaster, Seafoam Deep Penetrant, WD40 Speacialist. and Tranny&Mystery Oil mix.

And most of all response from the guys here on MM.net :beer:

Never been so happy to get a couple of mm. Then just banging back and forth, in and out.

[1stMerc]

See! It was EASY!! All I did was watch this thread and the bolt litterly FELL OUT!!!

Congrats Waymon!!


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Easy was about 4 hours. Came close to listening to you whispering in my ear, to just chuck it all and go get a cutting wheel and cut the eye of the arm.

[1stMerc]

The after math. Driver side axle end.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_00122.JPG
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/IMG_00131.JPG

[lifespeed]

The after math. Driver side axle end.

Congrats! The improved handling will taste that much better when the job is finished.