Front shocker and upper arm bushes help

[Pixel]

Hi, hope you're all well.

Today I set to replacing the front shocker bushes. I started with the near side, and removed the upper control arm bolts for ease of getting to shocker out. All good and the shocker is off ready for the bushes to be replaced. Now for the drivers side... all good apart from the left side bolt on the control arm. It appears to jamming/stuck to the right side of the bush. It's like they have seized together. I've managed to hammer it out as far as I can but it's still tight in there. Any ideas how I can progress from where I've got to with the bolt? Also does anyone know the part number for a replacement bolt?

Photos attached showing as far as I've got with the nightmare bolt. I've circled where the bolt seems to be jamming tight.

 

[Zep]

Have you tried turning it to see if it winds out? That it has moved at all suggests to me that it isn’t seized, but stuck on a burr.

The part number is 15977934 from what I can work out.

 

[Pixel]

@Zep Thank you for your reply.

Tried winding out, the inner part of the bush circled in blue turns with the bolt. What do you mean but stuck in a burr?

 

[AKCH01]

When I changed the springs, I also had similar difficulty at first, I used a jack to push up on the base of the lower arm with a block of wood. This took the pressure off and allowed me to wiggle the bolts out and proceed with removing the shock.

 

[Zep]

@Zep Thank you for your reply.

Tried winding out, the inner part of the bush circled in blue turns with the bolt. What do you mean but stuck in a burr?

I mean there is some damage to the bush which is holding it. I’d try what @AKCH01 said, if not try and hold the metal part of the bush while you turn it.

 

[Pixel]

I mean there is some damage to the bush which is holding it. I’d try what @AKCH01 said, if not try and hold the metal part of the bush while you turn it.

I'll give it a go. I've also bought the bushing kit for the upper arms so will be replacing them at the same time.

 

[conaero]

The bolt has corroded to the inner sleeve of the bush. If you turn you will tear the bush.

You can try heat and a hammer but if no joy you have to cut the bill with a recip saw

I will be interested to see how you get on changing the bushes without the factory tool. You can’t split the wishbone ballljoints, it’s one unit.

 

[philw696]

Please give your subframe a good inspection and wire brush clean up followed by a good rust treatment and protection too.

 

[conaero]

Good call Phil

 

[Scaf]

can you not use a smaller bolt as a drift to knock it though ?

 

[conaero]

can you not use a smaller bolt as a drift to knock it though ?

Alas not, Modena designed is in two halves that have to be clawed outwards with the factory tool.

 

[Pixel]

The bolt has corroded to the inner sleeve of the bush. If you turn you will tear the bush.

You can try heat and a hammer but if no joy you have to cut the bill with a recip saw

I will be interested to see how you get on changing the bushes without the factory tool. You can’t split the wishbone ballljoints, it’s one unit.

I've been turning the bolt a lot so the bush is already torn. They are getting replaced at the same time so wasn't too fused.

My intention is to remove the shockers and upper arms then take to my usual specialist for replacement.

 

[Pixel]

Please give your subframe a good inspection and wire brush clean up followed by a good rust treatment and protection too.

Great idea - what treatment do you recommend?

 

[Pixel]

can you not use a smaller bolt as a drift to knock it though ?

This might actually do the trick

 

[conaero]

 

[conaero]

I've been turning the bolt a lot so the bush is already torn. They are getting replaced at the same time so wasn't too fused.

My intention is to remove the shockers and upper arms then take to my usual specialist for replacement.

You can to that but you have to remove the upper, lower and carrier hub as one unit.

The lower camber bolts on the lower wishbone inner mounts (£100 each, 2 per side) are the ones that usually need cutting.

If you can get the suspension units out you have done very well as it’s a frustrating task

 

[Pixel]

You can to that but you have to remove the upper, lower and carrier hub as one unit.

The lower camber bolts on the lower wishbone inner mounts (£100 each, 2 per side) are the ones that usually need cutting.

If you can get the suspension units out you have done very well as it’s a frustrating task

Ah, this does pose a problem for me then - I was hoping the bolt directly under the ball join would release it.

Originally I only intended to replace the shocker bushes as its the reason for the MOT failure. Then due to the nightmare upper arm bolt I realised I've likely damaged the bush and need to replace.

I got the nearside shocker off pretty quick with no issues. I'm not sure what the best solution is now - I'm not going to pretend I have lots of money because I don't and really enjoy working on cars hence my DIY decision.

 

[conaero]

The wishbone can be disconnect at the ball joint but it is clear in the technical data that this should not be done hence why new wishbones come as a complete assembled unit.

The exact reason for this is unsure and thus as we follow the rules we do not separate them.

 

[conaero]

And I’d change your front springs while they are out, £100 for both fronts as a kit. Yours look corroded to the point of snapping which they do often.

 

[Pixel]

And I’d change your front springs while they are out, £100 for both fronts as a kit. Yours look corroded to the point of snapping which they do often.

Yeah they don't look great. Is that a fairly straight forward job?