Control arm bolt/bushing replacement issues

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pwyu1969
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2015 3:25 pm

Control arm bolt/bushing replacement issues

Post by pwyu1969 »

In changing my drivers side control arm on 2009 FWD 2.4L, the front bolt head sheared off. Probably rusted to the bushing. I feel screwed. As I see it, option 1 is to drill the bolt all the way out. Option 2 is try to sawzall the bolt and bushing (tight fit) and then drill out only the threaded portion.

I don’t see any other options. Any ideas or words of wisdom? Hopefully I’m missing something.
zbyers
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Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:12 pm
Location: Sheffield, Pennsylvania

Re: Control arm bolt/bushing replacement issues

Post by zbyers »

Is there anything left where you might be able to weld a nut to the bolt to remove it? Do you have any pictures for visual help?
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pwyu1969
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2015 3:25 pm

Re: Control arm bolt/bushing replacement issues

Post by pwyu1969 »

Welding and extracting is doubful
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zbyers
Posts: 1767
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:12 pm
Location: Sheffield, Pennsylvania

Re: Control arm bolt/bushing replacement issues

Post by zbyers »

I'd be inclined to agree. best bet might be an angle grinder or the sawzall on the otherside of the control arm, inside of the bracket.
'74 Thing, '79 El Camino, '83 VW DoKa '91 Vanagon, '03 Base, 04 GT
'06 CRV, '06 AWD, '07 Base, '12 Highlander Limited, '17 Frontier CCLB

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jolt
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Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 2:07 am
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota

Re: Control arm bolt/bushing replacement issues

Post by jolt »

If you have room on the other side, twist or cut off that bolt head too. Leave the rest of the bolt in the bushing and remove the control arm. You may have to drill out some of the bolt stub that stick out into the mounting bracket to get the bolt to clear the bracket but you do not have to remove the whole bolt from the bushing to get the arm out of the bracket.

Another thing to try is penetrating fluid and a air hammer. The vibration from the air hammer many break the rusted bolt loose. Be sure to use anti-seize on the mounting bolts before putting it back together some the same thing does not happen again. No tricks here, just work and these kind of things is where a mechanic looses money on working on a job like this when working for flat rate; which is how most are paid.
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