lower control arm bushings?
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Philly
Bolt seized up. best way to cut them?
Make sure you order new bolts - people often need to cut them off as they are siezed up.
Oh and make sure the shop that does the alignment (suggest dealer) has the correct computer to put the vehicle into tight tolerance mode to make sure the air suspension doesn't move during the alignment
Oh and make sure the shop that does the alignment (suggest dealer) has the correct computer to put the vehicle into tight tolerance mode to make sure the air suspension doesn't move during the alignment
The back bolt of of the lower control arm is completely seized inside the bushing.
What is the best way to cut them?
If I saw them off from the outside of the frame support I don't believe I will be able to pull the control arm out.
I think I should be cutting between the frame and the bushing but there is not enough space.
Any suggestion?
Pro Wrench
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 37
It's not fun.
Need to cut from the inside, and through the bushing sleeve and bolt. Use care to not damage the mounting bracket.
Best way, but not real feasible outside of a shop, is plasma torch through the control arm bushing sleeve, for access to the inner sleeve, which can then be cut much easier.
Also, don't try to turn the bolt to free it up, as you will rip the bushing and have the whole sleeve loose from the arm, which makes it more difficult to cut.
Get a good sawzall, and some good blades, and remember pressure cuts, not speed.
Need to cut from the inside, and through the bushing sleeve and bolt. Use care to not damage the mounting bracket.
Best way, but not real feasible outside of a shop, is plasma torch through the control arm bushing sleeve, for access to the inner sleeve, which can then be cut much easier.
Also, don't try to turn the bolt to free it up, as you will rip the bushing and have the whole sleeve loose from the arm, which makes it more difficult to cut.
Get a good sawzall, and some good blades, and remember pressure cuts, not speed.
Super Moderator
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,847
Likes: 106
From: Arkansas
I've got the doorman arms in mine. I ended up paying someone to swap them.
I kept the OE arms, I figure when the bushings go bad again I'll get poly bushings and a new ball joint and put them back in.
I kept the OE arms, I figure when the bushings go bad again I'll get poly bushings and a new ball joint and put them back in.
Super Moderator
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,847
Likes: 106
From: Arkansas
A few months. It drives noticeably better compared to the bad bushings that where in the car when I bought.
I got them at amazon. With prime they were cheaper than at rock auto.
I got them at amazon. With prime they were cheaper than at rock auto.