Date:         Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:18:11 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vile Lower Control Arm Bolt
Comments: To: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <4E85F018.3010605@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

These bolt/sleeve assemblies can rust into place really fast. BTDT with the
shocks also. Lawson Products sells a saw blade line called "Hardflex". Puts
the other brands to shame. What are you using for the new hardware. Needs to
be P.C 10.9 and fine thread for a reason. I often use the heat wrench. Burn
out the rubber mount and then use the torch to cut the bolt/sleeve if
needed. Often with the rubber gone you heat the sleeve and get the bolt
within loosened.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Ken Wilford
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2011 12:37 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Vile Lower Control Arm Bolt

Just finished a multi-day fight with a front lower control arm bolt on a
Syncro.  It was seized into the metal center of the control arm bushing and
the nut was also seized on the end of the bolt.  Major pain because you
can't get to the nut with anything but a box end wrench (not enough space
between the nut and the Syncro frame).  I used a wrench, an air gun, two
break bars, two pieces of pipe, a grinder, a small air grinder, a sawzall
(three Sawzall brand "Torch" blades), a heavy duty pry bar, a ball peen
hammer, a mini sledge, an air chisel, and pure brute force.
Finally got the nut off (squeeking all the way) with vice grips.  Then I had
to grind the head off of the bolt, cut the bolt on the back side of the head
end and the threaded end with the sawzall before it would finally break and
allow the lower control arm to come off.  The other side came off in about a
minute with the air wrench :-)

Anyone have any helpful hints on doing this in the future?  I am getting
ready to tackle the rear control arms next and I am really dreading that.  I
bought all of the hardware before I started just in case I had to cut and
grind stuff off.  Control are bushing is out and now it is getting washed in
the parts washer, bead blasted and repainted.  Then it gets a new bushing
and put back in.  The fun of living in the rust belt!

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com