03 GA lower control arm stuck

[rogriffi62]

I am replacing the lower control arm bushings and am having trouble getting the verticle bolt out. I have applied PB Blaster to it but it won't budge. I can't even get screwdriver under the head of the bolt to pry it out. I think that the rubber bushing has adheared to it. Driver side came out fine but the passenger side is giving me trouble. Any Suggestions?
Thanks, Robert

[doctorhrdware]

Very carefully heat up the bushing bolt up with a propane torch. If that does not work then use a acetylene torch that should work but be very careful when heating up the bushing and the bolt.

[3100]

no need to worry about heating it up with torch, you can't damage anything plus anyway you will have to install new bushing for the vertical bolt.

[rogriffi62]

Thanks for the replies. I had thought of that this morning and am now going to do that. I am replacing them for a friend's son and he already had the new bushings. Once I get this side out they can be taken to a shop to press the new ones in then I can reinstall them and then he can get it alligned. I'll get back to you all once I get them out to update you all. Thanks again. Robert

[3100]

if you did search on this forum you would find my post how to do this without any special tools.....I will try to find it for you if it isn't late.

[rogriffi62]

I did the heating (burned the rubber which was expected) trick but it still wouldn't come out so I wound up using a fine tooth saw to cut the rubber around the bushing and then using vise grips to hold the shaft while spinning the bolt out. Apparently, from the looks of the center of the bushing, sand and road grime had built up and formed its own threds around the bolt. I got it out yesterday and had the new bushings installed at the machine shop. This morning I spent the time getting it all back together. Next thing that will need to be done is the allignment and then it will be done. Thank you. Robert