upper control arm cam bolt is stuck

[FJ5WING]

HELP!

I have a cam bolt that just wont budge. Any suggestions or experiences on getting one out that has a mind of its own? already broke off the nut and some of the threads but still cant get the bolt to budge. 

I plan on cutting the arm off if I cant get any other ideas. 

[b5blue]

Cut from inside the fender well, sounds like the bolt has rusted to the bushing....what a *%#@*^$!!!! Gonna be a pain re-bushing to !GOOD LUCK!

[The70RT]

Cut from inside the fender well, sounds like the bolt has rusted to the bushing....what a *%#@*^$!!!! Gonna be a pain re-bushing to !GOOD LUCK!

Yep....been their done that 

[squeakfinder]

      A punch a hammer and allot of foul language . You can get the cam bolt and bushings new. Once the control arm is out you can burn the old bushing out with a torch. Press the new bushings in with some allthread and washers.

[FJ5WING]

I went the punch and hammer route for several hours. 

Are new control arems availible?

I thinking im gonna have to cut that off too?

[mopar_nut_440_6]

I just ran into the same situation with 3 of the 4 bolts on mine.

Here is what finally worked.

I heated the area around the bolt and bushing with a propane torch for approximately 15 minutes concentrating on the arm. A larger torch would be better but you use what you have. This melted out all of the bushing etc. I then used an air chisel and kept heating and chiselling until they came. It took me about 2-1/2 hours to get them out but was able to save the arms.

My car is undergoing a complete resto so the flames were not a problem but that may be a concern of yours! I also waited until the inner fenders were removed.

Good luck as they suck!

[4aThrill]

just a thought have you used any penetration spray P B blaster works great on everything

[b5blue]

Totally Auto sells them used or used cleaned, powder coated and re-bushed w new ball joints, I'm sure NOS would be BIG BUCKS!

[vancamp]

use kroil penetrating oil, wait about 30 minutes and hammer and punch it.

[FJ5WING]

OK, the cam bolt and control arm are out!

Now im afraid I hurt the car. once I got them out I noticed where it looks like the cam bolt spun in the brace that holds the control arm to the car.

any ideas? it looks like a new cam bolt will spin as well..........no?

[maxwellwedge]

I went the punch and hammer route for several hours. 

Are new control arems availible?

I thinking im gonna have to cut that off too?

Frank Badalson has brand new UCA's that are well priced and are a spitting image of NOS - And not painted! 

He also sells brand new cam adjuster sets that are dead nuts to originals.

[maxwellwedge]

OK, the cam bolt and control arm are out!

Now im afraid I hurt the car. once I got them out I noticed where it looks like the cam bolt spun in the brace that holds the control arm to the car.

any ideas? it looks like a new cam bolt will spin as well..........no?

You should be alright if you tap them back into shape. Once the alignment is done and the cam adjusters are tightened into position they are not moving.

[chargerguy111]

Just got my upper control arms back.One went in just fine,the other one seems to be stretched.I measured it is 1/2'' wider than the other one,preventing it from even being close enough to go into place.Anyone see this before?

[mopar_nut_440_6]

I have never seen this before nor do I know how the arms would have gotten stretched!

[b5blue]

It's wider now? You got them back...maybe it happened when they pressed the new bushing in...or during the battle to remove them? I put mine in with the tool set you buy, worked great. you might be able to bend it in a big press...or try getting a threaded rod to run through both ends and pull the ends back together by tightening bolts on the end and going at it with a hammer? They will flex some!  Hang in there!