lower control arm/shock bolt stuck!!

[CRG]

changing out the shocks, trying to anyways, and the lower control arm /shock through bolt is STUCK. the nut is free and the head of the bolt turns but it will not budge out of the LCA. been hitting it many many times with a 4.5lbs hammer (yep the nut is protecting the threads) and a punch but that bugger will not move a bit. also hit it with some MAP and lots of PB blaster. whats my next option?
thanks

 

[TonyP]

Front LCA? Probably rusted and/or seized. Been known to happen on 200s. Bust own the sawzall and order up some new ones from SPC

 

[TeCKis300]

I'm a bit confused as to which specific bolt you're talking about. Perhaps a picture?

 

[CRG]

TeCKis300- sorry i didnt mention it was the front, i changed out the rears yesterday. the front lower control arm has a bolt that secures the bottom of the shock to the LCA... that one.

TonyP- im going to buy an impact wrench and see if that will shake it free, im not ready to hack it off just yet. getting close though...

 

[619TOY]

Have you tried turning the head with a ratchet while simultaneously whacking the nut side with the hammer?

 

[TonyP]

The bolt is in a sleeve. The bolt can seize to the sleeve with the cams. An impact may bust it loose though. Or it'll just spin the sleeve and hose your cam tabs. Worth a shot though.

 

[619TOY]

The bolt is in a sleeve. The bolt can seize to the sleeve with the cams. An impact may bust it loose though. Or it'll just spin the sleeve and hose your cam tabs. Worth a shot though.

Those are the the bolts that hold the control arm to the frame. I think he’s got a problem with the single bolt threaded though the shock.

 

[CRG]

619TOY ..you are correct sir. The bolt is called the "Strut Bolt" ...part #2

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

If I'm interpreting this correctly, the lower front shock bolt will turn but just won't back out to be removed. I'm assuming the bolts that hold the lower control arm to the frame are still tight, which means you still have the coil spring pushing against the lower control arm and putting pressure on that shock bolt. If you are going to loosen the lower control arm to frame bolts as part of this job, do it now. This will take the pressure off the shock bolt and it should slide out. Make sure you put match marks on your alignment cams and don't fully retighten those LCA bolts until the truck is resting fully on its suspension.

 

[CRG]

the one he seemed to have removed with zero problems...through the LCA/bottom of shock

 

[CRG]

Hoosier Daddy- i did put a jack under the LCA and lifted it in an attempt to take some pressure off the bolt but still no love

yes the LCA bolts to the frame are still tight

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

No, you need to push DOWN on the LCA.

Coil pushes down, LCA bushings push up. The shock bolt is stuck in the middle. Leveraging the LCA down takes that pressure off.

 

[CRG]

Push DOWN to remove this bolt?

 

[TonyP]

Aahhhh! OK I misunderstood
Are the four bolts on the top hat on the coilover perch loosened? That'll relieve the force on the lower shock bolt.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Yes. Push down on the LCA. The LCA bushings are already pushing up. You can loosen the LCA bolts, which loosen the bushing tension, or you can take a long crowbar and just lever the LCA down.

In the photo you posted in post 10, the guy is using a long screwdriver to lever the LCA down so he can get the shock itself out, but same idea.

 

[CRG]

Aahhhhh is right..thanks much gents

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

If you are installing a lift, it is often easier to install the new front shocks with the LCA bolts loosened a bit. This allows the LCA to drop farther. But be careful not to allow it to drop any farther than you need to, since dropping it too far can hyper-extend your inner CV joint (then you're screwed). And, again, don't fully retighten those until the truck is back on the ground.

Or just have a long lever and a heavy friend handy to push down on the LCA.

 

[bloc]

Those LCA pivot bushings have a whole lot of spring to them.. even with a big pry bar I found it much easier to just loosen the bolts and do what I needed to the lower arm, then retighten everything after the work is done. Gonna need an alignment anyway so them moving isn't too much of a concern.

 

[fjc-man]

If it comes to plan “B” get a 2 pack of Diablo brand carbide tipped sawsall blades and you’ll cut right through that hardened bolt. Disconnect the lower ball joint, remove driveshaft nut, slide the CV out of the knuckle as you swing it out of the way ( tie it back,leave the brakes alone,maybe remove the ABS sensor if you think your stressing it. You could probably even secure the axle out of your way instead of popping it out of the diff.

 

[VooDoo2]

The Lower Shock bolts arent an issue at all.

LCA bolts will seize and require replacement arms. You can drill a ton of holes int he bush and burn out the rest with an Oxy but MESSY job and not recomended.