firelizard

iTrader: (1)

CL fam, I have a question for you all.

I have some nice new poly bushings for the #1 control arms. I am also very lazy, and I want to do the minimum amount of disassembly required to install them.

While I let everything soak in penetrating lube, does anyone know what the least amount of things I need to remove to swap the FLCA bushings is?

Maybe if I can talk myself into thinking this will be easy, I'll actually get it done this week.

firelizard

iTrader: (1)

I put my big boy pants on and just disassembled everything. It was really not a big deal in hindsight, and well worth it.

But now I'm stuck. Or rather, the LCA bolts are stuck. The last piece of the puzzle is pushing the bolts out and I'm absolutely stumped, and my day is ruined.

Is there a trick to getting the LCA bolts out, or do I just need a big hammer? The nuts came off no problem.

edit: I'm buying an air hammer after work tomorrow

McPierson

iTrader: (3)

Good luck. My rear inner bolts are also stuck. I’m planning on a sawsall for extraction.

JonGS3

If you're not using a hammer, are you really doing suspension work?

dwoods801

What bolts are you specifically having trouble with? The big cam bolt that goes through the main bushing? Or the two that attach the ball joint from the bottom? Or the big 19mm nut on the bottom and just behind the brake disc? The 2 ball joint bolts are going to have loctite and some serious torque holding them in place, so get your strongest “1/2 breaker bar, and consider using a pipe to get enough leverage and they should break loose, hit ‘em with your torch if you can’t get em to break loose, sometimes loctite requires heat to let go. Next, the 19mm castle nut has a cotter pin and once it’s removed, it shouldn’t be too difficult. Once you have everything outta the way, you should have enough access to remove the main bolt, I believe one side is a 21mm and the other is a 19, but it’s been a while since I dealt with mine, once I got the nut off, and the cam plate, you should be able to rotate the 21mm nut that is built into the other cam plate, rotate it until there was no pressure on it, it should turn one direction much easier than the other. Once there is no pressure on it, you should be able to push it right out and then the LCA#1 will be ready to remove without any issues.
I have complete confidence that you can get it done without any issues, still, good luck Boss

firelizard

iTrader: (1)

The cam bolts are seized in the bushing sleeves. Turning the cam bolt just twists the bushing. Not surprising considering they are probably original to the car, which has 260,000km and saw many winters.

Everything else was not an issue.

Scigheras

Sawzall is usually the only way to get them out. It's a PITA

dwoods801

I think you called it best in your OP, it’s just a battle waiting to be fought. I am confident you can figure out how to win. Sawzal, prybars, air hammer, and whatever swear words that come to mind, you’ll figure out the right combination. Torching the bushing is always the option of last resort, until you have the LCA separate from the rest of the vehicle anyway. but I am sure there have been people who torched it early, hoping to improve their situation.

firelizard

iTrader: (1)

hahahahah i'm having so much fun

firelizard

iTrader: (1)

Ok, now I have to paint everything, replace those bushings with Serial Nine poly ones, and put the car back together.

McPierson

iTrader: (3)

Cutoff wheels are extra fun. Congrats on getting it out.