Help: Rear Adjustable Toe Control Arm

[clueless1]

I have the hardrace.com adjustable toe rod (this is what Che is selling) ... but have come across some installation questions.

1. What have folks used for a boot/seal on the hub end?

2. I cannot seem to remove the bolt on the suspension side of the OEM rear lower control arm this is meant to replace.

The nut comes off fine, the bolt turns, but it is not coming out (even with tapping on the other side). I know this sounds like a really lame question, but right now I am completely stuck and have spent toooooo much time trying to figure this out with no success. Is there some trick I am missing??? Would appreciate any help I can get, because as I said, I'm in the midst of this replacement and without a way to get the bolt out am somewhat stranded at present.

Thanks.

Its not my photo, but I believe this to be the nut side of the bolt I am referring to.

Its not my photo, but I believe this to be the nut side of the bolt I am referring to.

Edited November 6, 2010 by Loren
merged posts

[N41EF]

That is the bolt and nut on the in-board side that allows for camber adjustment. If you removed the nut, and the bolt won't come out, you have some preload still on it, try loosening the end on the wheel carrier to take the stress off it, and the bolt should come out. Something binding it, might try putting a floor jack under the outboard end and lifting it to relieve the tension.

[clueless1]

That is the bolt and nut on the in-board side that allows for camber adjustment. If you removed the nut, and the bolt won't come out, you have some preload still on it, try loosening the end on the wheel carrier to take the stress off it, and the bolt should come out. Something binding it, might try putting a floor jack under the outboard end and lifting it to relieve the tension.

I cannot loosen the end on the wheel carrier because the ENTIRE BOLT SHEARED OFF (!!!, while going 3mph in a parking lot, thank goodness). It is dangling loose at the wheel carrier end right now. When I turn the bolt, the washer (that sets camber???) turns with the bolt. I do not have space to get anything on the washer to hold it while turning the bolt, and whatever I use keeps slipping regardless. Bolt turns almost effortlessly, but it is not coming out. The nut is completely off.

Any ideas?

I am stuck without wheels until I get this **** bolt out. Very very frustrating!

[dragonflyoh]

The bolt has a groove that matches the washer with the markings which has a key in its center. You cannot turn the bolt without turning the washer. I replaced my control arms and was able to get a wrench on the head of the bolt to remove the nut.

[goldenwarrior1]

Have you tried using a drift puch to drive the bolt out of the hole?

[clueless1]

Have you tried using a drift puch to drive the bolt out of the hole?

using a ballpeen hammer on the nut side while turning the bolt side ... has given me maybe 5-10 mm of progress. Not much to show for 4 days of labor.

I've tried jacking the car to remove load with no difference noted.

Any suggestions for a jacking point?

Any other ideas/suggestions?????

Am I really going to have to get this car towed to a mechanic to remove a bolt that is half out, turns freely, and has no nut on it????? Totally ridiculous......

[clueless1]

The bolt has a groove that matches the washer with the markings which has a key in its center. You cannot turn the bolt without turning the washer. I replaced my control arms and was able to get a wrench on the head of the bolt to remove the nut.

THANK YOU! This was the information I needed.

it turns out the bolt was NOT aligned with the bolt grooves as they should have been. Worse, I spent hours trying to turn the bolt while clamping etc the eccentric, but could not get the bolt back into proper position.

I finally gave up and hammered the thing through late today.

On reinstallation ..... I could NOT fit the Hardrace arm back into the car frame's metal brackets ... it was very obviously too tight a fit without really whacking it (and whacking and ....) with a hammer to get it in. That end is very obviously wider in comparison with the OEM arm.

My remaining questions would be where to get a boot/seal for the wheel carrier side of the toe arm?????

Also, I was wondering why the ball joint on the Hardrace arm does not um move? Am I supposed to remove something?

Indeed, there are no instructions with this arm, and I cannot find any on the net. For example, am I correct in assuming I should unscrew *both* sides equivalent lengths to attain the proper length (ie, the length of the OEM arm)?