Control Arm Removal
#1
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Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Control Arm Removal
Going to attempt to remove my front LCA's to clean up/paint, and replace bushings/ball joints. The bolts to the K are rusted to no end, and I know they aren't going to be coming off without them breaking. Any tips/tricks/suggestions? With the amount of rust on my arms, I wanted to sand blast prime and paint with POR15, but is blasting overkill? I have the cheap blaster from sears, works, not great but works. Thanks guys!
#2
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Car: 1989 gta
Engine: l98 350
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Control Arm Removal
I just did mine.As long as you got the right tools for the job it is easy. my cay has no rust what so ever so it made it easy.But if you dont have the right tools it will be tough.
#3
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Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Control Arm Removal
more so referring to the rusted bolts and how to remove them once they snap, was wondering if anyone had anything like this before. Also does anyone know the length/thread pitch/grade of the bolts?
#4
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Car: 1988 Gta trans am project 1-1/2
Engine: 86 4 bolt main cammed sbc 355 hsr
Transmission: 89 wc bw t5
Axle/Gears: Bw 9 bolt (3.27) pbr 11in
Re: Control Arm Removal
U could use a grinder an grind the bolt head an threads down to where it is flush with the k member then easily pry it out after that just drill the remaining bolts out an reinstall everything
#5
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Car: 1988 IROC Camaro (RHD)
Engine: 350 ci L98 SBC
Transmission: T700
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt BW, Disk, Posi-traction
Re: Control Arm Removal
Maybe get a cold chisel and cut a slot in the top of the bolts, then use a large flat screwdriver to get them undone.
WD40 would help too.
WD40 would help too.
#6
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Re: Control Arm Removal
The bolts (some or all) will be seized to the bushing sleeve. I used a flood of WD-40, a chisel under the bolt head, and a four-pound sledge. Hammer the bolt head out and knock it back in over and over until the bolt is free. About an hour per, accompanied by a storm cloud of foul language. I slathered the new bolts with anti-seize to forgo future issues.
EDIT: Forgot the bolts.
http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...dware-Kit.html
JamesC
EDIT: Forgot the bolts.
http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...dware-Kit.html
JamesC
Last edited by JamesC; 03-07-2012 at 06:47 AM.
#7
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Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Control Arm Removal
The bolts (some or all) will be seized to the bushing sleeve. I used a flood of WD-40, a chisel under the bolt head, and a four-pound sledge. Hammer the bolt head out and knock it back in over and over until the bolt is free. About an hour per, accompanied by a storm cloud of foul language. I slathered the new bolts with anti-seize to forgo future issues.
EDIT: Forgot the bolts.
http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...dware-Kit.html
JamesC
EDIT: Forgot the bolts.
http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...dware-Kit.html
JamesC
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#8
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Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Control Arm Removal
Or not, didn't realize how expensive the del's are. Maybe on a really tight budget thats not the best way to go, damn!
#9
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Re: Control Arm Removal
Front a-arms dont see all that much twisting motion anyway, they literally only do a straightforward hinging motion on one axis, so you're not giving up nearly as much (if any) with poly up front as you would with the rear LCA's. The worst thing that can happen with poly is noise, and mine dont make any noise at all up front, although my rears make my car sound like its about to fall apart sometimes. I'd love to get some of the delrin type bushings on my rear LCA's.
#10
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Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Control Arm Removal
Front a-arms dont see all that much twisting motion anyway, they literally only do a straightforward hinging motion on one axis, so you're not giving up nearly as much (if any) with poly up front as you would with the rear LCA's. The worst thing that can happen with poly is noise, and mine dont make any noise at all up front, although my rears make my car sound like its about to fall apart sometimes. I'd love to get some of the delrin type bushings on my rear LCA's.
#11
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Car: 92 RS
Engine: 3.1 V6
Transmission: T5
Re: Control Arm Removal
I just did mine.. Factory originals so 250,000 miles and the bolts came out fine.. Recommend powder coat.. Only cost me $75 for blast and powder coast.. I got the bolt kit listed above from Spohn and reassembling everything today to get it back on the road...
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