american air suspension conversion

[cehebert]

Hey, I am converting the suspension on my 94 MK VIII, the lower controll arm bolt and sleeve are being bastards. I know not to use heat, and smacking away has proved fruitless. Any other tips?

Also, I am in need of a right front fender for the same car.
THanks, Chris

[frankjc]

Why do you need a fender? Wild swing whacking the bolt?
I am sure I am going to have trouble with my lower bolts too.
Let me know if you learn any tricks.

[cehebert]

I was able to get it free, removed the upper controll arm, (also very tough) and saturate the bolt and sleeve with pb blaster. Then go to town with an air hammer. I will likely have to replace the bolt and nut, but better that than the entire lower controll arm. Good luck.

[frankjc]

Thanks.
I am dreading mine.

[BlackiceLSC]

sorry I wasnt around to help.

here's the trick...first, yea...soak them bolts with PB Blaster, or other quality penetrant.

then, the trick is to rotate the bolt, while whacking it out from the back. Be sure to thread the old nut onto the bolt to protect the threads.

put the socket on the bolt head, and rotate it a little, then swing for the fence....then rotate some more, and hit it again...it is a lengthy process for some east coast cars, but it will come out.

good luck.

oh, soooo...how do you like the new ride? how about some pics??? did you go stock height, or lowered?

[frankjc]

I am thinking air hammer on one side, breaker bar on the other....maybe an impact gun.

[paul_meets_mark]

hey guys....I have a 94 MarkVIII that i just converted too, from Eddie Spinks.
I have the 1.5lowered version, it sits beautiful, but the springs are quite loud. Let me know if you guys experience the same thing. Also be careful, cuz on the lowered kit, you may not seem that low, but you are (thank god for my crossmember)....Good Luck to yall.

~Paul_meets_Mark

[frankjc]

I was able to get my bolts out...took a while, thanks to these salty massachusetts roads, but I got it. I popped the flag off loosened the nut, then put a 1/2" air impact gun on the bolt head, and just kept going it it until it turned. A combination of that, and pounding it with a hammer, and an air hammer on the other side got it out. Even though the bolt was able to turn, it was hard getting the threaded part through the sleeve. The bolt was destroyed, but luckilly I thought ahead and had new bolts and nuts.
I am thinking next time I have to do a job like this, it would make it easier to spread the bottom of the strut apart enough to get in there and cut the bolt with a sawzall or hacksaw, then poke it through with a punch.