Stuck pivot arm bolt

[MNT250]

Installing some new QA1 coilovers I picked up from Matt on the other forum. I got the passenger side installed with no problem. Slid the pivot bolt out enough to remove the shock, slid it back on enough to get the nut on and tightened it up. Drivers side was a major pain to get the bolt to slide enough to go through the lower shock mount (I couldn't and had to pull the shock the opposite direction to clear half the threaded area in the middle of the lower shock mount) I installed the new coilover and tried to spin the bolt back out by tightening it but it would not move at all, I tried tapping the head of the bolt but it would not move at all, I tried tapping the end of the bolt to push it out and it would not move at all. Do these bolts bend pretty bad that they'd bind up like this? How the heck am I going to get it out at this point? I'm really stuck.

Picture of the completed side.

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[Lwanmtr]

You tried anything like wd40 or pb blaster? Tried yelling at it? Showing it pictures of Bea Arthur in provocative poses?

[MNT250]

You tried anything like wd40 or pb blaster? Tried yelling at it? Showing it pictures of Bea Arthur in provocative poses?

Hahah tried WD40, didn't seem to do much. Yelling, swearing, crying, banging - check. I know the third suggestion would get me to move, not sure on the bolt. Lol.

Guy on the other forum thinks the bolt is caught on the inside of the lower link bushing, which makes sense with the position it is stuck in. Now to figure out the best option for removal with taking that into consideration.

[Lwanmtr]

Can you move the bushing at all?

[MNT250]

Can you move the bushing at all?

I might be able to push something down in there and wedge it one way or the other, but since the bolt is going through it I won't be able to move it much.

[Ron]

Soak it all down, tighten the nut well, and hit the head with a hammer, and/or try turning it at the same time...

[delgato]

I am having the exact same issue.

I am taking apart the rear suspension and having a horrible time getting the bolts out of the lower arms.

From the bolts I have been able to get out it appears they are slightly rusting in the metal collar inside the rubber bushing in the arm. I can get the nut off, and can turn the bolt but the arm wants to move with it. So it is frozen inside the bushing. It makes it difficult too since it is inside the rubber part that banging it with a hammer does not want to budge since the rubber cushions the impact.

I am going to try to keep spraying PB blaster but it is difficult to get inside there.

[dn010]

The bushings and other metal collars inside the hole for the hub carrier rusts/corrodes along with the bolt. I had this problem many years ago and the only thing I could do was pull the whole thing out of the car, heat up the bushings until the rubber melted out and cut the bolt into sections.

Be very careful hammering that bolt, if it is fused to the collar inside the hub carrier, you'll risk breaking that ear off the hub carrier - I did, and it was the RH side carrier which is ridiculously expensive compared to the LH side.

[DMCMW Dave]

Be very careful hammering that bolt, if it is fused to the collar inside the hub carrier, you'll risk breaking that ear off the hub carrier - I did, and it was the RH side carrier which is ridiculously expensive compared to the LH side.

YES - - keep in mind that the hub carrier is aluminum, and treat it accordingly.

You can put all the penetrating oil in the world there but it won't get far enough in to do much good. It's a combination of continued working it, maybe some heat (don't forget about the aluminum) and worst case cut and drill. It can be a lot of work.

[MNT250]

Thank you all for the suggestions! I tried a few other things to work it out but it wasn't going anywhere, I had to cut it out. The bolt was fused to the inside metal part of the bushing. I stayed close to the edges of the bushing and cut, unbolted the lower link arm and then the other pieces of the bolt came out fairly easily. I have a replacement bolt and bushing I purchased at DMC NW. I had to burn and peel the rubber inside out of the bushing, but the outer ring is completely stuck so that's where i'm at now. I've soaked it in PB Blaster, heated it up, hammered it. Guessing i'm not getting this out without a press or an air hammer or something.

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[DMCMW Dave]

Thank you all for the suggestions! I tried a few other things to work it out but it wasn't going anywhere, I had to cut it out. The bolt was fused to the inside metal part of the bushing. I stayed close to the edges of the bushing and cut, unbolted the lower link arm and then the other pieces of the bolt came out fairly easily. I have a replacement bolt and bushing I purchased at DMC NW. I had to burn and peel the rubber inside out of the bushing, but the outer ring is completely stuck so that's where i'm at now. I've soaked it in PB Blaster, heated it up, hammered it. Guessing i'm not getting this out without a press or an air hammer or something.

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Take a hacksaw and cut a groove in the insert. It will weaken it and you can then collapse it.