Hello, I was changing my a-arm bushings today. I started with the passengers side and then the driver side top and finally the driver side bottom but when i disocented the nuts it did not fall like the passengers side. I found out the 5/8 bolt towards the rear waqs completely frozen. Tere was not nut holding it on and i used heat,hammers, many air tools and nothing would make it budge. I finally cut the bolt off and got the a-arm out but the nut is still in there. I used every drill bit i have to make a small hole through the bolt but the bits only last seconds because the bolt is very tough metal. I even used good heavy duty steel bits. Any ideas how to get the rest of the bolt out of the rod that goes through the a-arm? Is this a common thing? I know that they are original. Thanks Eric
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Re: a-arm bushing removal 72 454
I am confused as to which bolt you mean. The ones in the ends of the shaft? It is not a 5/8" bolt, but it has a 5/8" head. It does not supposed to have a nut holding it on. -
Re: a-arm bushing removal 72 454
Wayne, There are 3 bolts holding the a-arm to the chasis 2 small bolts on one side (towards the front) and 1 big one (towards the back). This is the lower driverside front a arm. The other side of the a arm is held on by the spindal. Thanks EricComment
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Re: a-arm bushing removal 72 454
Eric: I removed the bolts in question easily on my 70. when I replaced the front springs. I used a 1/2 impact wrench. If you have cut the rear bolt, you may try heating the remainder of the bolt in the shaft with a small oxy-acetlyene torch. Try to get the bolt very warm with a minimum of heat to the shaft. Let it cool and drive the bolt out. I don't understand why it's stuck so tightly, but corrosion can be a powerful bond. Best of Luck Jay.Comment
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Re: a-arm bushing removal 72 454
OK, so is the bolt stuck in the hole in the shaft? I assume so because if it wasnt you could remove it. I would first try a punch and a large hammer and try to drive it through. If that doesnt work you will need heat and lots of it. The problem is that once heated, there may be some question as to it fitness for reuse. I wouldnt worry too much even if you have to cut it off and replace the shaft. They are plentifull and relatively cheap.Comment
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Re: a-arm bushing removal 72 454
I got the bolt out of the a arm shaft yesterday. It was stuck in the a arm shaft hole. When i got the a arm off the car i took out the bushings then the shaft and then i put the shaft in the vise and beat the bolt but it did no good. I don't have a torch so i drilled then grinded it out with a rotory tool. It took some time but it is perfect now. I bougt a 5/8 2" coarse thread high heat treated bolt for it. Thats the closest bolt i could find. The original was fine thread and looked a little different but i just want to hold it on I'm not worried about looks. It's almost impossible to get original bolts. The bolt that was stuck looked like a shank bolt with no trace of threads in the a arm shaft hole. Thanks for the advise guys. EricComment
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Re: a-arm bushing removal 72 454
There are two safety concerns that you might want to think about here. The bolts are fine thread and also #8 hardned with a shoulder too fit snugly. There is a solid retainer attaching bolt bolts and not just two nuts. These things were done this way for a reason. So your suspension will not fall off and you wont hit me head on in the other lane. You might want to rethink the long term solution here.Comment
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Re: a-arm bushing removal 72 454
Wayne, The solid retainer that the 2 bolts thread into is in perfect condition. It is just the 1 big bolt on the other end that i replaced. I bought the 5/8 coarse replacement bolt from home depot. It fits totally snug in the hole. The hardware guy said that the bolt was stronger than the grade #8 bolts they had. I think i am going to go back and see what the grade is on this bolt i bought though. Just for peace of mind. I'll let you know. I will try to include a digital picture tonight or tomorrow of the control arm. Thanks EricComment
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Re: a-arm bushing removal 72 454
Good, I thought that you meant the other two. The one large one has a locking nut also.Comment
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Re: a-arm bushing removal 72 454
What's on the head of the replacement bolt? 3 lines? 6 lines?Comment
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Re: a-arm bushing removal 72 454
John, It just has the intials BPC on the head of the bolt. I did'nt have a chance to go to the store yet but probably tomorrow. EricComment
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Re: a-arm bushing removal 72 454
Eric - I have never seen graded fasteners at Home Depot.....just the plain head low carbon stuff. Maybe your Home Depot has more fasteners than mine, but, if it were me, I would seek out a repuatable fastener outlet in your town and get an automotive grade product. I suspect you can order these from some of the better Corvette Parts suppliers as well for this application specifically.......... CraigComment
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Re: a-arm bushing removal 72 454
Well, i am done with thecontrol arm bushings. I found a grade 8 ( 6 lines on the bolt head ) and nut and lock washers. I found out that home depots bolt was grade 2 and they said that would be tough enough for a control arm. I heared you have to have atleast a grade 5 but stick with grade 8. Thanks to all for the advise. EricComment
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