(Part 1) HELP!!!! Stuck Rear Lower Inner Control Arm Bolt

[@kurteckroth2833]

Brandon! First one of the jacks is sitting on a curved section of the body (rail) and is already on an angle. That bothers me; but I'm not there. Now to the problem. Backed into a corner I wonder if you could take a reciprocating saw and cut either the nut or the head off AND THEN grind the remainder down to the shank diameter. At that point you'd try to bang the bolt out along the axis. The down side being the bolt is lodged in a rubber damper. The shock of the hammer blow will be absorbed so it might not come loose. And then at that point you don't have a head on it anymore. OR You could grind both the head and the nut off so they are as short as the damper, then the arm will fall out. You'd need a new rubber/collar/bolt....and MAYBE not the rubber nor the collar just a bolt. I'm not sure this helps but sometimes one idea begets another. Good luck, man.

[@goldelementautoworks]

I appreciate that reply. The jack stand is simply lifting up the exhaust to gain access to the inner control arm bolt. Either you drop the exhaust or lift it, in order to do so. The suggestions for the stuck bolt were well thought out and I agree with the possibilities. Man……I’d hate to have to cut this bolt. I even thought about cutting the strut in half and inserting the new coilover. That’s some desperation right there. 😅😅😅 But the last resort will be removing the outermost lower control arm bolt and all the difficult to remove and reinstall arms to the hub.

[@JenetWise]

Penetration spray and some heat

[@ismiley5115]

If you haven't got it out, i would remove the nut and use a air hammer to brake it loose. You can always order a new bolt if you messed the threads on the end

[@goldelementautoworks]

@@ismiley5115 Thank you! I’m back at it tomorrow.

[@stevensmith2008]

The only easy way is to apply heat to the bolt . Use a sailing torch like a plumberWould use to solder. Applied direct heat to the bolt for 5 to 10 minutes . Just be careful not to script the head of the bolt

[@goldelementautoworks]

@@stevensmith2008 Thank you. Makes sense.

[@ToddtheLoneDroner]

The best support you could get is with that hydraulic jack I would put some wood or a piece of metal to prevent it from coming down good luck I'm not happy with those jack stands being fully extended and all

[@goldelementautoworks]

@@ToddtheLoneDroner the jackstands are not supporting weight. One is used to raise the trail arm out of the way and the second one is used to push the exhaust up out of the way so that the bolt can be extracted rearward.

[@ToddtheLoneDroner]

@@goldelementautoworks I just think it's a good idea to support the Jack in the up position with something that would actually be like a small jack stand

[@goldelementautoworks]

@@ToddtheLoneDroner I agree.

[@CL500MBZ]

That lower control arm doesn't look stock. Maybe I'm wrong. Don't they usually have a plastic cover on them?

[@goldelementautoworks]

@@CL500MBZ This one has a plastic cover. I removed it. Only the SL55, 600 and 63/65 has the plastic cover. I’m pretty certain. All of the 500/550 that I’ve done do not.

[@pierreperk7079]

Just have to be careful.Have to put a little heat to it

[@goldelementautoworks]

@@pierreperk7079 Thank you!

[@pierreperk7079]

@@goldelementautoworkshopefully you got it

[@goldelementautoworks]

@@pierreperk7079 I’m going to tackle it again tomorrow

[@carlosr1060]

No heat ! That will damage the bushing. Let it soak in pb blaster for a few hours and use an impact gently with short 1 second bursts, that will break it loose.

[@kurteckroth2833]

Hey guys, it's not his car! Were it mine I'd contemplate backing it out of the garage and applying torch heat. BUT this thing is pretty close to the rubber bushing and enough heat to break that nut lose isn't going to play well with that rubber damper. I do so hate explaining to the insurance company how I burned my garage down and to a different insurance company how I managed to mutilate a car from Alabama!!

[@goldelementautoworks]

@@kurteckroth2833 Well said and good perspective! I’m going to try everything before applying heat. Because once you do……you can’t go back.

[@ToddtheLoneDroner]

Try an impact wrench

[@markcoomber6282]

Impact is your friend in this situation. Shocking force applied in series should do it. Good luck.

[@goldelementautoworks]

@@ToddtheLoneDroner I agree. Thank you.