[sventastic]

This is the first time that I've felt pretty defeated by my car...

Trying to replace my control arms, and the pinch bolt is very much seized in place. As suggested by many other threads on this topic, I've soaked it with pb blaster, heated the crap out of it with a blowtorch, and smacked it many times with a punch and 4lb hammer with no luck.

I was able to spin the bolt nearly 1/2 a turn, but then I stripped 3/6 of the corners on the bolt head and decided that was enough of that. More heating and hammering got me nowhere, and the bolt was mushrooming from the impact so I called it quits and put it all back together.

At this point I feel the next step would be getting that bolt to spin with an impact wrench, which I don't own, or take it to a shop. I feel like this would be a 30 min job with the right tool so I'm not terribly opposed to taking it in

Any alternatives?

 

[BEJinFbk]

Nut-Splitter + New Fasteners.
And maybe a spare bolt and nut for the
other side while you're buying the parts.

 

[sventastic]

Nut-Splitter + New Fasteners.
And maybe a spare bolt and nut for the
other side while you're buying the parts.

The nut isn't stuck on there, I put the control arm back on so I can use the car the rest of this week

 

[ScottishBrick]

Get the new control arm which should come with hardware, cut the end off or otherwise destroy the all joint, cut the bolt and call it a day

 

[sventastic]

Get the new control arm which should come with hardware, cut the end off or otherwise destroy the all joint, cut the bolt and call it a day

Yes I have all new hardware. How/where do you suggest cutting the bolt?

 

[ScottishBrick]

Yes I have all new hardware. How/where do you suggest cutting the bolt?

In between the pinch of possible. Dremel? Or grind the head off anough to twist it off

 

[JaredR]

I cut the bolt on my old red/tan R. Looks like that's definitely the best option for you at this point.

I found some anti seize in these on my T-5R and oh boy did that make life easy.

 

[sventastic]

In between the pinch of possible. Dremel? Or grind the head off anough to twist it off

No dremel but I have files... Lol. Don't think I'd be able to get the head off with one of those!

 

[sventastic]

I cut the bolt on my old red/tan R. Looks like that's definitely the best option for you at this point.

I found some anti seize in these on my T-5R and oh boy did that make life easy.

First thing I did before starting the job was buy anti-seize... Now if only Volvo used it at the factory, since these are original control arms

 

[BEJinFbk]

A Dremel with a reinforced cutting wheel is a wonderful thing!
Just have plenty of those tiny wheels on hand...

 

[sventastic]

A Dremel with a reinforced cutting wheel is a wonderful thing!
Just have plenty of those tiny wheels on hand...

How bout an A/C powered drywall drill?? That thing spins faaaaast. I wonder if there are cutting wheels for a regular chuck drill

There's probably less than an inch of space in there though...

 

[BlkT5]

Pull the axle out of the hub and use a hack saw