Upper control arm help

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Exjouster

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Ok, here’s an official plea for help from any local car guys! I’ve been trying to replace the front suspension on my 67 Barracuda, and have gotten stuck in a ba spot -and need help. Can’t get the upper control arm bolts out, and the old upper ball-joint is totaled and it’s remains are fossilized into the control arm. Can’t put it back together, can’t get it out to put the new one in. Tried oil, fire, every kind of hammer, pickle fork, etc that I can get. Even tried a sawzall (broke that in the process of trying to cut the bolt, but no real room for a reciprocating blade to work) . The nuts are off, but the bolts won’t come out. Can anyone lend a hand or steer me in the right direction?
 
If you can't get it out using the flame wrench, i don't know what to tell ya.
Haven't heard of anyone having a removal problem, other than you, using the torch.
You gotta be doing something wrong.
Good luck.

Torch.jpg
 
I've had "some trouble," bolts can rust into the sleeves of the rubbers.
 
You may hafta just burn everything out with the oxyaceytlene torch and possibly sacrifice the upper arm in the process... save the frame and mounting points on the car.
 
Can you rotate the bolts at all. If so rotate and spray penetrating oil then try backing them out using a ratchet wrench. Once they break free they should move out. Good luck.
 
I had one car whose upper control arm bolts were so frozen (rusted) in place that I ended up just cutting the upper control arm off and then cutting the bolts out. Helps to have spare upper control arms.
 
Blades are expensive, but maybe one of those oscillating saws to cut the bolts. I tried to save a set of BBJ control arms from the salvage yard, but yea, the bolts we rusted to the inner sleeves of the bushings. By the time I could get back, it was crushed. Too bad, cause it was a '73 which had the drum brake spindles that others use for other types of disc conversions.
 
You have to heat the inner sleeve of the bushing. cut the outer sleeve away then heat up the rubber with a torch and you can pry it out. Then heat the inner sleeve cherry red.
 
On my '67, the 50-year-old sleeves had rusted (welded) themselves permanently to the bolts, on both sides of the car.

After trying fire, lots of penetrant, and a few other alternatives, a Sawzall and multiple blades finally did the trick. It wasn't easy.

vm
 
Exjouster said:
Ok, here’s an official plea for help from any local car guys! I’ve been trying to replace the front suspension on my 67 Barracuda, and have gotten stuck in a ba spot -and need help. Can’t get the upper control arm bolts out, and the old upper ball-joint is totaled and it’s remains are fossilized into the control arm. Can’t put it back together, can’t get it out to put the new one in. Tried oil, fire, every kind of hammer, pickle fork, etc that I can get. Even tried a sawzall (broke that in the process of trying to cut the bolt, but no real room for a reciprocating blade to work) . The nuts are off, but the bolts won’t come out. Can anyone lend a hand or steer me in the right direction?
Click to expand...
Well I tried to PM you but your inbox is full.
 
Cut between the uca and the mount.
If you cut the bolt off at the ends there is still a small section of bolt sticking into the uca mount.
Not sure if a grinder will fit in there, but one with a diamond blade makes quick work of anything.
 
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