72 Cutlass front control arms

Old Jan 27, 2013 | 11:08 PM
  #1  
Big red72's Avatar
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From: Parkersburg, WV
72 Cutlass front control arms

Changing out all front suspension bushings, etc....having a hard time with removing driver side lower control arm rear bolt.....stuck to bushing shaft and cannot beat it out. have use half a can each of kroil and PB blaster to no avail......any idea's?
Old Jan 27, 2013 | 11:27 PM
  #2  
Rickman48's Avatar
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Heat can be your friend, as can a fire extinguisher.
It'll be stinky, but I've seen them 'burned out'.
Old Jan 28, 2013 | 03:43 AM
  #3  
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You may be able to burn them out, after burning out all of the rubber (Mmmmm... Smells like Revolution in a third-world country), but you will be a happier person if you just take a SawzAll to the bolt through both cracks, then just buy another bolt.
It's just not worth all the time and effort.

- Eric
Old Jan 28, 2013 | 06:40 AM
  #4  
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You don't have to completely burn it out, all you need to do is get it soft enough for the rubber to soften. The problem is the inner sleeve and bolt are somehow fused together and removing the rubber still may not get the bolt out.
Old Jan 28, 2013 | 06:47 AM
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In order to get the bolts out of the sleeves without cutting them, you will need to heat the sleeves dull red.
The only way to do that is to completely burn away the rubber.

You have a small chance of loosening them with a STRONG air hammer, but it is noisy, filthy work, will take a while, and still might not do the job.

It's much easier to cut them.

- Eric
Old Jan 28, 2013 | 07:07 AM
  #6  
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What they all said. I'd hesitate to burn the rubber out while the control arm is still on the car, given the other flammable items around it (plastic inner fenders, fuel lines on the passenger side frame rail, etc). The fact that the bolt is rusted to the inner sleeve means that you need a new bolt anyway, so just get the Sawzall. Cut between the flanges on the frame and the bushing on both sides. It's a hardened high-strength bolt, so use a new blade and cutting oil.
Old Jan 28, 2013 | 07:30 AM
  #7  
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I have found Mopar spray can rust penetrant to work well. You might be able to loosen the bolt with an impact gun.
Old Jan 29, 2013 | 07:48 AM
  #8  
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thanks.

Ended up using sawzall and several blades after trying cutting discs, etc. Got off work at 630 AM...and armed with a six pack and alot of attitude...got it off!
Old Feb 3, 2013 | 02:47 PM
  #9  
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Don't have any suggestions but it sounds like we were both having fun doing this project, I just did this same thing yesterday/last night and got to the same bolt which happened to be my last and everything came to a screeching halt, now I have the solution to the problem. I will warm up the sawzall tomorrow night. GO 49ERS
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