lower left control arm

[Pokey]

I am removing the lower left control arm on my 87 Pathfinder 4x4. Everything is disconnected from the control arm, also referred to as the lower link in my shop manual. The only thing that I need to remove is the bolt or spindle holding the unit to the suspension. It runs through a bushing. According to the factory shop manual, the bolt or stud should just slip out toward the rear. The head of this stud that lines up with the torsion bar, which has been removed. To back it out, I have pounded on it with a hammer and block of oak to no avail. Do I need a special tool to press this thing out? This is all that is standing in the way of replacing the old control arm that has broken in two, due to rust.

[MY1PATH]

Has the T-bar anchor that both the bolt and T-bar slide into been removed?

spray some PB blast all around and get a cheap rivet gun (air hammer) You don't need a big one, but the additional vibration will help the The PB blast penetrate and break it loose from the bushing sleeve inside there.

[GrimGreg]

If the LCA was that rusty, the bolt is probably rusted to the sleeve in the bushing. Maybe cut it out?

[Pokey]

Rust is an issue with this vehicle. Driven primarily on the beach, it has seen lots of exposure to salt air over the years. I had to drill some of the nuts off of rusty bolts to take them off. I'm hoping to coax a couple more years out of it, before the frame gives out. Great running car, hate to see it go. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll give the PB blast and whatever else it takes to get it out.

 

The T-bar anchor is on the aft end of the torsion bar right? Yes, it's been loosened to where the torsion bar was disconnected from the control arm. It's out of the way now.

[MY1PATH]

The t-bar is "anchored" on both ends. One anchor is the ajuster. The other anchor is on the control arm. It looks like a trapizoid with a splined hole in it for both the t-bar and the bolt head you are trying to remove.

unbolt it and remove it.

Edited November 12, 2010 by MY1PATH

[nunya]

Im picturing things all wrong in my head I think but possibly just get some new hardware and start cutting/melting the junk/corroded/frozen crap out? What I did when I replaced the LCAs in my 4runner... (I know different setup since the torsion bars are in the uppers on that, get my point though?)

[Pokey]

The t-bar is "anchored" on both ends. One anchor is the ajuster. The other anchor is on the control arm. It looks like a trapizoid with a splined hole in it for both the t-bar and the bolt head you are trying to remove.

unbolt it and remove it.

 

MY1PATH,

Yes. The T-bar has been detached on both ends. This is the first time that I've done any major suspension work, and I must say the design engineering is interesting and complex at the same time.

[Pokey]

Okay. I finally got the stud out and the old control arm off. It took some pounding and once the bolt moved, it came out easier. The bolt is in good shape. Can any one recommend a source for a used lower left control arm replacement? Once again, it fits an "87 Pathfinder 4x4. Otherwise, I'll search online. Thanks for the responses and encouragement.

Edited November 12, 2010 by Pokey

[MY1PATH]

MY1PATH,

Yes. The T-bar has been detached on both ends. This is the first time that I've done any major suspension work, and I must say the design engineering is interesting and complex at the same time.

 

 

your missing my point entirely. I was asking if the little anchor on the aft side of the control arm had been removed. Grr where's a picture when I need one.

I imgagine getting the bolt thru that anchor could prove difficult if its corroded...

[Pokey]

your missing my point entirely. I was asking if the little anchor on the aft side of the control arm had been removed. Grr where's a picture when I need one.

I imgagine getting the bolt thru that anchor could prove difficult if its corroded...

 

Yes that anchor was removed. I tried posting a photo, but couldn't figure out how to do it.