Upper control arm bolts

[Dr.Diddles]

Hey I recently got a 82 el Camino and have started working on the front suspension/steering. I got the nuts off the bolts holding control arm to the frame and was told the bolts should slide right out and not to try to wrench them out cause they are spline bolts. I got one out but the other 3 do not want to move. I’ve sprayed them with penetrating oil and try to tap them out but there isn’t a lot of room to swing a hammer. Was looking for suggestions?

thanks.

 

[fleming442]

Why are you removing them? Completely unnecessary.....

 

[Dr.Diddles]

Why are you removing them? Completely unnecessary.....

I ordered a set of new poly bushings so I need to take them off.

 

[fleming442]

remove nuts, slide the cross bar in, and lift off= done.

 

[565bbchevy]

As stated the bolts holding the crossbar on the front upper control arms do not need to be removed they have a splined edge that keeps them from spinning so you just have to remove the nuts and slide the control arm towards the engine to get it off assuming the upper control arm is detached from the upper ball joint.

 

[69hurstolds]

If you need new ones, you can get them using GM p/n 461854. Need 4 per car. List price is $11.35 but you're likely to find them cheaper pretty easily. 11516073 is the p/n for the nut to go with it. Need 4 per car. List prices is $2.44 each for those.

You can buy aftermarket at places such as ebay, but I have no idea about fit and quality.

MADE IN USA CONTROL ARM SERRATED BOLTS OE Style Upper Camaro Chevelle GTO 442 | eBay

This set of 4 Upper bolts are Made in USA the proper 7/16" serrated type and a Grade 8 bolt. Original style head markings are correct for most cars, and they even have the correct black phosphate plating!

www.ebay.com

They do have the serrations and I have had luck with a brass drift punch, or basically a rod, then mini-sledged them out. They don't simply go quietly into the night. Of course, the engine was out at the time making it so much easier.

Agree, you shouldn't have to remove the bolts to remove control arms. But if you have headers or other weird engine/exhaust combinations, it could make changing sh*t a bit more difficult.

 

[Dr.Diddles]

As stated the bolts holding the crossbar on the front upper control arms do not need to be removed they have a splined edge that keeps them from spinning so you just have to remove the nuts and slide the control arm towards the engine to get it off assuming the upper control arm is detached from the upper ball joint.

Yea upper control arm is separated from spindle. I have the nuts off but the control arm does not want to slide off. That’s why I was trying to remove bolts.

 

[69hurstolds]

Yea upper control arm is separated from spindle. I have the nuts off but the control arm does not want to slide off. That’s why I was trying to remove bolts.

Sounds like you got either bent bolts or heavy rust/corrosion around the bolts. JMO.

 

[Dr.Diddles]

Sounds like you got either bent bolts or heavy rust/corrosion around the bolts. JMO.

Yea that’s my opinion, probably didn’t do a very good job explaining. Was more asking for suggestions on how to free it up😀

 

[565bbchevy]

Did you try a big pry bar to break it loose?