Coilover LCA Bolt Stuck - Any great Ideas before I cut it?

[Jetboy]

Well... time to replace the spherical bearings in my front coilovers (fox). They're noisy as hell. I thought it would be a 1-2hr job. Not so easy. The misalignment spacers are damn near fused onto the lower control arm bolt. Any tips or tricks to getting it to let go?

So far I tried using a BFH until it was mushrooming the end of my drift (a rod of 3/4" solid round bar) and ruining the end of the bolt. And I tried heating it until smoke was coming from the teflon of the joint - I didn't want to go much hotter and risk a damaging the shock its self. I've tried pb blaster. That's kinda all I got.

Next step is to use an angle grinder and cut off the bolt on both sides of the shock and just throw away all the parts.

It's shiny because I tried to use a vice grip on the spacer in hopes I could break it free by turning the bolt with a wrench - it just shaved a bit of the aluminum off.

 

[Jetboy]

If I have to cut it out - it probably makes more sense to cut the control arm apart. And if I have to cut the control arm apart, no sense in replacing with another one that's just going to go bad again right? So I think the only logical conclusion is to replace with a long travel suspension right? It's either that or two $4.57 bolts and $30 in misalignment spacers. I don't want to pay $4.57 a piece for bolts. I'd be wasting money.

 

[nb rob]

after the heat the spherical bearings are 100% toast
Where's the washer under the nut?!

Is it possible to cut the mushroomed portion of the bolt flush with the nut, and use a nutsplitter? It's a tight spot


*edit
now I see, you had the nut off but the misalignment spacers wouldn't let go....
That sucks JB. My recommendation above is no help at all. Sorry dude

 

[Jetboy]

Yeah -I just put the nut back on temporarily and happened to be tightened up in the pic. The bearings are definitely toast. I had to put it back together temporarily for a week until I can pull it apart again. I can get the bolt from the dealer - but the spacers I have to order and wait till they arrive.

 

[nb rob]

If you don't mind my asking, where are you buying your spherical bearings?
They're starting to look like an annual replacement item for me too.

Are you able to buy stainless misalignment spacers for the next round? GD aluminium turned that bolt in to a battery

 

[Jetboy]

If you don't mind my asking, where are you buying your spherical bearings?
They're starting to look like an annual replacement item for me too.

Are you able to buy stainless misalignment spacers for the next round? GD aluminium turned that bolt in to a battery

I bought the bearings from Summit. They were the cheapest I found for FKS10T. If you have 2.5" shocks they basically all use a COM10T size. The stainless ball version is FKSSX10T, but it's weaker than the hardened steel version. The FKS10T is what Fox uses. Edit: They're $11/ea. Stainless are $17/ea. Aurora makes a comparable one for about $12. Some folks seem to think they are better. I don't have any reference either way.

I'm not sure where I can buy stainless misalignments. I would definitely prefer stainless.

 

[wfo9]

Not sure about how much room you have... Tack weld the nut in place. Then go loosen from the bolt from other side. Worth a try... Then grind off the tacks... This will save you a few $$s vs the LT LCAs.

BTW, does the bolt spin? Make sure all the tension is off. If I remember correctly, KDSS will put tension on it...

 

[Jetboy]

Not sure about how much room you have... Tack weld the nut in place. Then go loosen from the bolt from other side. Worth a try... Then grind off the tacks... This will save you a few $$s vs the LT LCAs.

BTW, does the bolt spin? Make sure all the tension is off. If I remember correctly, KDSS will put tension on it...

Yeah, the bolt will spin along with the spacers. I removed the top plate so it was totally loose. I can't believe how bonded it is. They've only been in there for about 2 years. Definitely going to get a good coating of grease or something next time.

 

[wfo9]

Anti seize for sure... I messed with one friends truck that had been down at the beach a bunch and it was a nightmare getting that bolt out. Covered it all with ani seize and a year or two later we swapped the suspension and it was easy like my truck....

 

[Jono.ful]

Had the same thing happen as well, and I tried everything you did too. What finally worked for me was a penetrant (liquid wrench or whatever) and let it sit overnight. Eventually I was able to separate the bolt from the spacers.
The experience really reinforced the need to use a good anti-seize on EVERYTHING that doesn't specifically call for loctite

 

[Jetboy]

I soaked in a penetrating oil and I'll give it a shot again tomorrow night. Can't do it tonight.

If not Accutune has a set of spacers in stainless instead of aluminum. $40 shipped for the set.

 

[SaulG]

Pull the nut off and use cut off wheel to flush cut the end and head of bolt off. ( probably LBJ removal for access )
Then slightly bend "ears" of LCA to remove shock .. FPITA!

 

[Flahart]

Try a ball joint press. Sharpen a bolt or smaller than 14mm solid stock to push the bolt out. Make sure the open end of the press fits over the head of the bolt.

Best Ball Joint Press Parts for Cars, Trucks & SUVs

If that doesn't get it I will cut and replace the bolt and spacers. Cut off wheel or short sawzall works well. I keep spacers in stock from Icon but they will fit any brand shock.

Can get SS spacers here