Top control arm bolt won't come out

[azygoustoyou]

It's as if the rubber is holding the bolt in. I'm beating the h#ll out of it. Do I have to torch it to get the rubber to release it?

[mbouse]

what are you trying to save, and what do you intend to discard? yes, the rubber is gripping the bolt that tightly. i'd put a nut back on the end of the bolt about 3/4 of the way and then beat and smack on the nut.... saves the bolt threads and gives your hammer some additional surface area to hit.

i'd say the bushings are toast anyway so a torch will only speed their ultimate demise.

[NJFIAT1981]

Brady,
Use the big hammer.

[manoa matt]

No rubber, its the inner metal sleeve of the bushing that is catching on the threads of the bolt. Try a socket wrench to back the bolt out using the threads, once you get it out of the first bushing it will come out of the second one. If you must beat it out, yes, use a nut on the end.

[azygoustoyou]

I tried beating it. I tried unscrewing it. All it does is turn and squeak. I'm trying to save the frame and side engine wall for someone. I want the spring too. I don't care about the bolt. If I have to cut the bolt or control arm. I will. I was hoping someone had an easier solution.

[manoa matt]

The last few I took apart were exaclty like that. Try beating it a few times, unscrew with socket wrench, beat it, unscrew it, beat it, unscrew it, beat it.

No one wants to be defeated, show that bolt how funky, and how strong is your fight, it doesn't matter who's wrong or right...just beat it!

[azygoustoyou]

Matt,
I'm going to call you tomorrow so you can sing that tune as I show that bolt who's got the beat.

[engineerted]

The inner steel sleve is rusted to the bolt, just cut it off.

Ted

[azygoustoyou]

Yeah, that's what I'm going to do. Hopefully tomorrow before more snow arrives.

[ventura ace]

I had to beat the hell out of one to get it out, and saw why when I finally got it out: it was bent on the threaded end. If you can rotate it, and it appears that the threaded end wobbles with rotation, then maybe you have the same problem. If so, maybe you can turn it so that you know which way the bend is and smack it hard in a direction to straighten the bend, then it might be easier to remove it.

Alvon

[2ndwind]

It appears your spring is not compressed as it is all the way up in the seat. Don't you need to get the tension off that thing?

[azygoustoyou]

No not to get that off. I did the other side just fine.

[spider2081]

If you have an air chisel you can try driving the bushing out of the control arm. I have seen this done on the lower control arm. Get the chisel blade against the control arm at the bushing seam. As soon as the seam opens angle the chisel to drive the bushing out.

[azygoustoyou]

I'm just going to cut it off when I get the time.