2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Control Arm Bushings

[Nate]

I'm trying to replace the control arm bushings on my truck. Well I can't get the driver's side upper control arm off. The bolts are rusted into the metal sleeve of the bushing. I can turn it with a long breaker bar, but it's turning the sleeve as well.



So. . how do I get it out? At this point, I'd rather not destroy the bolt. There's not much room to get in there to cut it either.

 

[JDKammin]

I removed the stock control arms to install the Cepek long arm suspension system. I had the same problem when trying to remove the bolts from the stock arms. I ended up torching the nut and head of bolt enough that the control arm could be removed. You will have to get some new bolts from the dealer and since you are replacing the bushings, you will not have hurt anything.

 

[Nate]

Torch would make life easy, but I don't have one.



Someone suggested an air hammer. I'm going to try that tomorrow. I have one buried somewhere in my toolbox.



Ever start on one of those projects that you think will take an afternoon, but ends up taking a week and costing like 4x more than your expected? Why do I get that feeling? :-laf

 

[AMink]

Soak the snot out of it with penetrating oil. Drive it around, then soak it again. That might work. The hardest part is get the old bushing out of the arm. You can get a propane torch at Home Depot or Wally World for pretty cheap. You'll probably end up torching the rubber bushing anyway! BTW, don't do that in the garage next to the heater. Heater sucks in stinky burning rubber smell, puts it in house, makes wife mad .

 

[Nate]

I put new bushings in 1 lower the other day and it wasn't very hard to get the buhings out. I am having one hell of a time to get the upper arm off the darn truck though! Spent 3hrs on it! and it's still not off!

 

[TRCM]

I had to replace both my lower control arms due to rust like that. Tried to get an alignment done, and the bolts snapped. And you can't get just the bushings for a 3500.



I tried everything, and ended up cutting them off with a sawzall. I cut just inside of the axle bracket up against the control arm, and cut thru the sleeve and bolt. It took me about 1 1/2 hrs, as you have to be careful, and it's hard to work the saw in the way it needs to go.



Good Luck !!

 

[Nate]

Yeah both upper are rusted tight. I'm going to bring the truck to Les Swab and have them torch them out or soemthing. I was able to cut the bolts on 1 side of the driver's arm, but I don't have enough space on the other side. The bushing sleeve is eating blades like candy.



Also snapped the axle side lower arm bolt. Was on there way tight and I got ****** and put some *** into it. I'm surprised I was able to snap that 1/2" bolt right in half!