Trailing arm

[WhiteFinish]

Damn those things !!

After 22 years, those things won't come loose.

With a lot of force the bolt started moving. Had to use a big wrench with extension to unbolt it.
And of course.... at the very last moment, the part on the other side of the bolt decided to come loose, so the bolt spins together with the other side.



Who has some tips how to get this thing out ??

[Inodoro Pereyra]

Hmmm... I guess getting a wrench on the other side is not an option, and a grinder is also impossible, isn't it?

I'd say, how about a hacksaw blade, and a helluva lot of patience?

[fowljesse]

Why don't you put a wrench on both sides? If there's not enough room, you may have to grind a wrench to make it skinny. I don't remember how I did mine, but it seemed easy.

[wytbishop]

You have to break the cage that holds the nut im the back side and move it aside so you can get a wrench on it. It's not easy. I used a hammer and a long cold chisel.

[ganue]

I just got done - literally an hour ago doing the exact same thing - except on midwest rusty crusty - not like your shiny new looking assembly. At least you made me feel good that you (spoiled) folks in non-rust belt areas have to deal with the same issue.

Wyt's right. Remove the cage. I used a sawzall and cut only through the structure to the rear of the bolt/nut. This exposes the SQUARE nut. Bend the cage out of the way and latch on with a great pair of vice grips. Not easy and be patient but you can grab on well enough and after about 20 full turns of popping the vice grips off incessantly, you'll have the bolt free.

Re-installation is probably controversial. I reuse the bolt, get a nice grade washer and hex nut and you are good to go. Drove like this for 10,000+ miles with no issue.

[WhiteFinish]

Thanks for the tips people !

I'll give it a go this weekend.

**although I'm not surprised it's so stuck, the car is from '91**

[wytbishop]

When I did my suspension a couple years ago I managed to get one off OK but the driver side bolt had to be cut.

I was able to get in there with an angle grinder and a 4" zip disk and cut the nut end. Its no good cutting the bolt head off as you won't be able to get the bolt out the other side since the body will be in the way.

[WhiteFinish]

It worked, cut the sides and held the bolt on the other side.

Damn what a crazy thing !

[ganue]

Yay! The forums come through again!!!