Got a slight bend on one of my lower control arms. I've got a replacement. Tried to remove the inner control arm bolt under the steering but that thing is tight! Any suggestions to remove bolt? Do I have to remove the exhaust? If so, can I reuse the gaskets?
Lower Control Arm replacement
- Thread starter Winston
- Start date
Yes. You should remove the exhaust. They are very easy. Just remove some springs. The gaskets are re-usable as well. Just remove your silencer and stinger. After removing the exhaust you will have gobs of room to access them. I used a 3/8 impact with a swivel socket on the outer end and just snuck a wrench in on the backside. I think it's like a 15 mm or 19 mm or somewhere in that range. It's been awhile since I worked on one.
*A personal note. I dont know this because I wrecked my sled. I fixed a local drunk's sled (you know, the too many DUI's-IlovetoridebecauseIcangettothebar dummies) alot last year since he never could figure out what he was running into. Go figure.
*A personal note. I dont know this because I wrecked my sled. I fixed a local drunk's sled (you know, the too many DUI's-IlovetoridebecauseIcangettothebar dummies) alot last year since he never could figure out what he was running into. Go figure.
At the risk of sounding a little obvious, why don't you just unscrew the lower arm from the heim end and screw the new one on???
I think they're normal right hand threads. There is a jam nut up in there, you should be able to see it, should be alot easier to loosen than the bulkhead bolt.
I tried putting a wrench on that jam nut but space there is confined too (under body molding)... Can I take the control arm off the spindle, remove bushing, and put some rebar of something in the loop and loosen without holding onto that jamnut?
Sure can!
sleddineinar
VIP Member
I have a great big screwdriver to do the same thing. I've taken the bolts off at the chassis before to, but that was to replace the whole assy. Just to replace the bent bar, a big screwdriver, or rebar in your case will be fine.
just curios how do tighten the jam nut like that?
Well, quick/not too dirty method worked! Removed bushing, used the rebar to start, finished with the ol' socket wrench handle. Screwed the new one in, and finished with a quick jamnut tighten with a small channel-lock. Much easier not having to remove the whole thing! Thanks for the tip.