2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Control Arm Removal

[TSielski]

Have been in the process of rebuilding the front end of my 95 4x4 to once and for all eliminate the death wobble that has been giving me too much anxiety every time I drive the truck. Over the past year I've replaced the upper and lower ball joints (Moog), shocks (Bilstein), steering stabilizer, (Rancho), Track bar (Solid Steel 3rd Gen track bar adapter & trackbar), Solid Steel steering brace, new tires (BFG all terrains, 265-75R16, E rated), front end alignment. (truck is NOT lifted)

I've also got a set of the DT Pro Fab stock length control arms with urethane bushings. I've replaced the lower units with no problem. Front end was aligned with those in place.

Death wobble seems to be gone. I can't get it to initiate, YET anyway.

Problem I'm having is removing the bolts on the upper control arms. The frame mount bolts loosen ok on both sides. The bolts holding the axle end of the upper control arms seem to be rust-welded to the sleeves inside the rubber bushings on each side. No amount of Kroil soaking & pounding moves the bolts a mm. The bolts rotate with difficulty, but the entire bolt/sleeve rotates. Looked at cutting them out, but can only get a sawzall blade on one internal end of those bolts. Obviously would have to get at both ends to cut them out.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm also doing this with the truck on jack stands. I don't have the luxury of a lift unfortunately.



tim

 

[CRohwedder]

I had to cut mine out also, i used a cutting torch. Be carefull not to cut the frame or the mount. Good luck.

 

[BigDsCummins]

Have been in the process of rebuilding the front end of my 95 4x4 to once and for all eliminate the death wobble that has been giving me too much anxiety every time I drive the truck. Over the past year I've replaced the upper and lower ball joints (Moog), shocks (Bilstein), steering stabilizer, (Rancho), Track bar (Solid Steel 3rd Gen track bar adapter & trackbar), Solid Steel steering brace, new tires (BFG all terrains, 265-75R16, E rated), front end alignment. (truck is NOT lifted)

I've also got a set of the DT Pro Fab stock length control arms with urethane bushings. I've replaced the lower units with no problem. Front end was aligned with those in place.

Death wobble seems to be gone. I can't get it to initiate, YET anyway.

Problem I'm having is removing the bolts on the upper control arms. The frame mount bolts loosen ok on both sides. The bolts holding the axle end of the upper control arms seem to be rust-welded to the sleeves inside the rubber bushings on each side. No amount of Kroil soaking & pounding moves the bolts a mm. The bolts rotate with difficulty, but the entire bolt/sleeve rotates. Looked at cutting them out, but can only get a sawzall blade on one internal end of those bolts. Obviously would have to get at both ends to cut them out.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm also doing this with the truck on jack stands. I don't have the luxury of a lift unfortunately.



tim

My buddy had to cut his too with a cutting torch. When he did that he went ahead and replaced all the bolts with grade 8. Maybe not needed but for another $2 why not.

 

[PRattenbury]

Yep, you're either gonna hafta use the torch, or you can use the sawzall where you have access. You will find the sleeves will eat metal cutting blades like candy. There is a blade you can get at Home Depot or wherever that's made to cut porcelain and the like. They're carbide, and they will cut the sleeve. It's a real treat dealing with them.

 

[JFlagg]

Guess I was lucky... mine came out with a big hammer and some sweat:-laf.

 

[SMorneau]

Cut the bolts ends and bend the brackets enough to get the arms out. Get new bolts from Mopar4less.com. I bent the crap out of my brackets getting the arms out (same deal as you) and got them back into alignment by placing a properly sized block of wood into the mount and cranking the sides together with a bolt. Just be very very glad the frame ends are not giving you trouble they are much harder to deal with. Use antiseize liberally when putting the new stuff together.