STUCK... upper control arm

[mypancreasbroke]

Last weekend I started replacing my suspension bushings. Bought a press, Wit's End bushings kit, the whole 9 yards. I've searched through the forums, and haven't found a solution, and just spent the last 2hrs trying to beat the cold steel hell out of the bolt I can't get in.

Upper control arm, rear axle, passenger side. I can't get the bolt to go through the last housing on the axle. Ive tried lifting the body/frame as high as it will go, jacking each side of the axle as much as it will go, lowering the axle as much as it will go, every combination in between, and the damn bolt just wont go through. The springs on the axle side of the housing make getting the bolt out a real b. But Ive tried bolting the axle end first, then bolting the frame end, and same thing. I can get the bolt through the housing, bushing, and other side of the housing on one end. Then the bolt through the housing and bushing on the other end, but it doesnt line up enough to go through the last side of the housing.

Any other tricks out there? Both housings look to be straight, and not bent, same with the control arm. But maybe something has warped slightly? Bout to get out of town, and between storms right now... and wanna finish this dadgum job today. Thanks!

 

[goranvolvo]

you must have some special cruiser since you have control arm on it

 

[inkpot]

you must have some special cruiser since you have control arm on it

The rears have 2 uppersand 2 lowers.

 

[george_tlc]

... and a partridge in a pear tree (panhard)

cheers,
george.

 

[inkpot]

Last weekend I started replacing my suspension bushings. Bought a press, Wit's End bushings kit, the whole 9 yards. I've searched through the forums, and haven't found a solution, and just spent the last 2hrs trying to beat the cold steel hell out of the bolt I can't get in.

Upper control arm, rear axle, passenger side. I can't get the bolt to go through the last housing on the axle. Ive tried lifting the body/frame as high as it will go, jacking each side of the axle as much as it will go, lowering the axle as much as it will go, every combination in between, and the damn bolt just wont go through. The springs on the axle side of the housing make getting the bolt out a real b. But Ive tried bolting the axle end first, then bolting the frame end, and same thing. I can get the bolt through the housing, bushing, and other side of the housing on one end. Then the bolt through the housing and bushing on the other end, but it doesnt line up enough to go through the last side of the housing.

Any other tricks out there? Both housings look to be straight, and not bent, same with the control arm. But maybe something has warped slightly? Bout to get out of town, and between storms right now... and wanna finish this dadgum job today. Thanks!

Get a light and a mirror so you can see which way you need to move the bolt to get it thru the last hole. Prybar between frame and bushing will move it down. Come a long or ratchet strap can pull top of axle forward or rearward. Bottle jack with lots of cribbing will move it up.

 

[mtnzorro]

Ratchet strap is what ultimately worked for me as well.

 

[NLXTACY]

Ratchet strap is what ultimately worked for me as well.

Yup, I went right to this as soon as I realized it wasn't coming out easily.

 

[duggy]

You can also back the bolt out a bit and get a screwdriver that fits the hole and use it to pry the arm in the direction you need. As you get it in position, use a hammer to drive the bolt in which will also drive the screwdriver out at the same time.

 

[baldilocks]

Remove that which blocks your path. Think spring.

 

[mypancreasbroke]

Got them all done. Really helped having a buddy come over and maneuver the axle while I checked for clearance and hammered the bolts through.

Using a press is pretty fun, things that go 'bang!' tend to put a smile one my face.