Front Control Arm Bushes.

[Gav240z]

I just read about control arm bushes but I have a slightly different problem XYZ you seem to know a bit about them from the last post I read.

Anyway my problem is I have to replace the front 2 and rear 2 but the front ones are the ones I'm doing first. The problem is I can't get them out. I've jacked the car up and I'm trying to undo the bolt that runs horizontally across. I'm using a rachet and I was really trying to undo it but it slipped and has slightly rounded the bolt. The other side can be done I spose but I don't wanna round that one. I used some WD40 and tried to get it inside the bolt to encourage it to loosen up.

I used a longer rachet for more torque but there is limited space as to where I can turn the thing...

Anyone else got any suggestions I really don't wanna take it to someone I always regret not having done what I set to achieve.

Thanks in advance.

[2ManyZs]

Next thing to try would be heat, either from a small propane torch or a full size torch set. If you can still get enough grip on the nut after heating it, it should come loose.

If you still can't get it loose with heat, you'll probably end up having to cut it off. Best thing to use would be a air powered cut-off tool and a good abrasive wheel. Try to make a cut on opposite sides of the nut and effectively split it. This might help you save the bolt.

Worst case would be cutting the entire end of the bolt off with the nut, but then you will need to find a replacement bolt and nut.

When working on fasteners that are either rusted or large enough to have been torqued to a high degree, using a 6 point socket is always the best way to go. Using a 12 point socket or open end wrench will nearly always end up rounding off the fastener. If there is any question in your mind, always use the 6 point socket or a 6 point box end wrench.

[JEFF]

After you heat it up spray it with the WD-40. The heat pulls the WD-40 into the threads.

-Jeff