[marks1973 nova]

Hello everyone, How are we doing.

So I have taken on upgrading my front suspension a little bit. Currently installing new tubular control arms and coilovers. I have one side done. I have an issue and I need some advice and help on the other passenger side lower control arm I removed one of the bolts and nut not to much of an issue. But the other bolt i cannot get out of the control arm the bolt is located towards the tie rod side of the control arm. This bolt refuses to come out the nut is off. If anyone one could give some ideas I would greatly appreciate it. Ive Tried wd-40 and torching it.

 

[bruinfan1966]

The bolt is most likely frozen inside the metal sleeve inside the bushing, I deal with this daily on lower control arms, uppers, panhard bars,you name it, I just use my sawzall and cut the middle part out, obviously you'll need a new bolt but it saves hours of aggravation.

 

[marks1973 nova]

hahaha I got the hours of aggravation part. Would you recommend a good brand metal blade for sawzall? Thank you for your help!!

 

[bruinfan1966]

hahaha I got the hours of aggravation part. Would you recommend a good brand metal blade for sawzall? Thank you for your help!!

I just grab the sawzall metal cutting blades at Home Depot, they go through relatively easy. The second way, which will work but stinks is to actually burn the rubber part out of the middle, the heat from the rubber burning out will almost always make the bolt come right out of that frozen collar, but you need to open the doors, run a fan and even then that smell hangs around a while. you can get the rubber burning easily with a propane torch, the plus side is you can use the bolt again, I usually find that the bolts are junk from being frozen all those years (pitted and rusted) so new bolts are usually a must regardless.

 

[marks1973 nova]

Thanks for the help I am going to cut the last one out and replace the bolts.

 

[unstable]

I second using the sawzall. When I did this job, I backed the nuts off of the bolts and even hammering on the bolts wasn’t moving them. In some places I couldn’t get a good angle on the bolts to smash them out. Sawzall and a little hammering will save you hours of frustration. If I ever do this job on another car I probably won’t even bother trying to remove the control arm bolts and nuts.

 

[utterson]

That is some good info!

 

[Twinshadows]

............................ and , going back together = " Never - Seez " . . is your friend , for sure .

I Do use it for alot of nuts & bolts .............. worth every penny . . . . . .


. . jim

 

[bptactical]

The best SawZall blades I have ever used are Milwaukee “Torch” blades-proverbial hot knife through butter.

 

[marks1973 nova]

Finally cut the bolts out thank you everyone for the help I will post pictures of the car when I finish up and pull it out of the garage!

 

[marks1973 nova]

Back in action.

 

[bruinfan1966]

Back in action.

Looks great!!

 

[fltinstructor]

Very sharp looking. Two colors that are great looking when clean to me. Red and Black, and you have a lot of one and a little of the other.

 

[Twinshadows]

Yes , a very good looking Nova - I like it alot .

jim

 

[1320pilot]

sawzall and a BFH staple for every tool box

 

[Mr.Dude]

Nice looking car