Control Arm Bolts Stuck

[joeg]

Heat, Hammer, Grinder, Kroil, cut-off wheel.

[backformore]

I've pretty much conceded this meant it was time to do poly bushings but I thought I would make sure I wasn't missing something. Thanks for the input.

[ShelbyRacer]

An air hammer (or air chisel with flattened punch) works wonders. I leave the nut on part way as a centering point.

Be careful with the BFH method. I actually bent the sheet metal where the head of the bolt sits by driving the sleeve against it. The air hammer gave me no such issue.

[Chip42]

so many of the bolts on the LCA of the EM1/EJ/EK civics (and their earlier siblings and integras) are captive nuts that cannot be accessed, at least not by hammer / chisel. if it is well and truly stuck to the bushing sleeve your BEST option is to cut the bolt and replace bolt and sleeve. trying to force it runs the chance of dislocating the captive nut, and that's a further PIA you don't want to deal with as the fix often involves cutting access hole(s) into the subframe and whatnot. that can be done without hurting the strength of the thing, but it's just hassle you don't need.

[backformore]

Yeah Chip. That's one of them. Rear compensator arm. I've determined that the bolts that are frozen are turning in their respective captive nuts which is actually a positive result since I was afraid that compensator arm captive nut might have needed replacing. Like you noted, I could not see how it was not gonna be a big PIA if that was required.

Just ordered poly bushing for the car. Wish sphericals were in the budget, but the current prep level of the car, in addition to my talent level (or lack there of) make them not the wisest use of dollars at this point.

[Rabbit07]

I have been earning a living working on cars for over 20 years. What I have discovered in all that time is the parts are worth way less than my time. Unless you can not buy new parts for it, just heat or cut. Do it quick and throw them away and start new. Add a little grease or oil to the parts to prevent corrosion all over again.