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Share your experiences... bolts stuck in suspension bushings.

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Old 08-12-2012, 04:35 PM
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IndySilverAnny
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Share your experiences... bolts stuck in suspension bushings.

So I'm replacing all the control arms on the front end of my 02 F150 Supercrew 2WD.. Drivers side wasn't much trouble, other than having to cut the top mounting post of the shock off to get it out, and breaking the swaybar link. No big deal, I'll get new ones with new bushings. Was also planning on new shocks soon also, so it'll be sooner than later.
Got the passenger side upper off, and new one in. No problem there either.
The lower rear bolt came out OK also...
Had to cut this shock out also... No problem...
THEN I got to the lower front bolt. It is frozen solid to the bushing inner sleeve. Broke out the impact wrench, impact hammer, BFH, prybar, torch, cut-off wheel, sawzall, etc... Got the bolt cut off on the nut end, but can't get cut thru the other. The sleeve must be much harder than the bolt. Went thru a few blades. Need to either find the wrenches for my grinder, or buy some new ones. can't change the cut-off wheel out right now.
You can't get a hammer in there to get a good swing at it, and the bolt head is recessed up in the frame, so you can't even pry on it once you have it out a tiny bit.

So, is there any magic potion to getting these bolts out? or am I doing pretty much everything everyone else has to do? Am I just lucky it's only one of the bolts? LOL
I know I've got thru this with leaf sprints also, but there easy to take off and take over to the workbench and get the drill, saw, etc at them better.
 
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Old 08-12-2012, 05:09 PM
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Yep, thats what i do. Cut off with the die grinder and wheel or recip saw, then take to the bench and punch it out.
 
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