GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

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.

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?

Welding and extracting is doubful

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.

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.