Lower control arm Bolts?

Numbles

Active Member

Dec 10, 2003

998

0

36

Chicago, IL

Aug 15, 2005

#1

• Aug 15, 2005

• #1

Anyone know where to get front lower control arm bolts.

In the process of changing the front suspension I found that the right side bolts were rusted to the bushing sleeve. And I cant find anyone thats sells these bolts. Because I need to source them before I take out the sawzaw and cut the control arms off.

Ive tried summit, frpp, and autozone. They couldn't help.

Thanks
Dan.

 

89CopCoupe

Banned

Feb 17, 2004

606

0

0

Post Count City

Aug 15, 2005

#2

• Aug 15, 2005

• #2

http://secure.50resto.com/product1.cfm?SID=1&Product_ID=3145&Category_ID=735

 

bubba-dough

Active Member

Dec 28, 2004

1,044

2

38

Indiana

Aug 15, 2005

#3

• Aug 15, 2005

• #3

I agree. I also had to beat the crap out of my old bolts to get them out. And are you gonna re-use the control arms because you will probably find that the bushings are probably shot when you take the bolts out. They aren't fun to change. You may look into bying new FMS control arms http://secure.50resto.com/product1.cfm?SID=1&Product_ID=112&Category_ID=252 Although I think you can find them for about $160 elsewhere

 

Numbles

Active Member

Dec 10, 2003

998

0

36

Chicago, IL

Aug 15, 2005

#4

• Aug 15, 2005

• #4

I already got the MMR tubular control arms and coilovers. They had a deal for $300 for both. I needed new balljoints and upgraded in the process. I also just got cc plates as well.

Did you just hammer those old bolts out. My sawzaw is no match for those bolts. Ill try a new bit although I dont think it will work.

Is there anywhere that sells these bolts in local places.

 

bubba-dough

Active Member

Dec 28, 2004

1,044

2

38

Indiana

Aug 15, 2005

#5

• Aug 15, 2005

• #5

I got the bolts loose with plenty of PB Blaster, an impact and a cheater bar. Then I used a smaller hardened bolt to beat it out. I also had a buddy prying and twisting it from the other side. Its like they seized to the bushings.
I couldn't find a place that had one locally.

 

K.C.90gt

Founding Member

Jun 5, 2000

379

0

0

Detroit Area, MI

Aug 15, 2005

#6

• Aug 15, 2005

• #6

i just went through the same thing with mine.. replaced them with tubulars. 1 bolt on each side was stuck in the bushing. I tried everything and the only thing that got mine out was an angle grinder with a metal cutting wheel. I went to Lowes and also Ace hardware and found some bolts that matched the size and length and strength but they were grade 8 standard instead of metric. They are on there now and worked no problem. Just bring one of the old bolts with you to match up the size and length, get the strongest grade and also get a matching nut for that new bolt. Thats all i did. Good luck... it was a PITA.

 

88GT17MA

Member

Nov 1, 2004

289

0

16

Aug 15, 2005

#7

• Aug 15, 2005

• #7

I just loosened my bolts yesterday, planning on doing all new springs in my garage. By listening to you guys, it sounds like I just opened a can of worms.

I wonder what the chances are that Im going to be able to just bolt them back up with the new springs.

prolly gunna need some new parts huh.......

 

bubba-dough

Active Member

Dec 28, 2004

1,044

2

38

Indiana

Aug 15, 2005

#8

• Aug 15, 2005

• #8

88GT17MA said:

I just loosened my bolts yesterday, planning on doing all new springs in my garage. By listening to you guys, it sounds like I just opened a can of worms.

I wonder what the chances are that Im going to be able to just bolt them back up with the new springs.

prolly gunna need some new parts huh.......

Click to expand...

If you are lucky no...but who ever gets that lucky when it comes to a car???
You probably know this, but to get the springs in the front a-arm in a fox you need the spring compressor that goes up through the middle of the arm and in the middle of the spring, not the one that hooks on the outside of the spring...

 

88GT17MA

Member

Nov 1, 2004

289

0

16

Aug 15, 2005

#9

• Aug 15, 2005

• #9

there fms c springs, I figure with the spring rate of C's the fronts may slide in. We'll see, I got a couple cans of PB, but damn is it way to hot outside to be yanking on those bolts all day in a garage.

 

Numbles

Active Member

Dec 10, 2003

998

0

36

Chicago, IL

Aug 15, 2005

#10

• Aug 15, 2005

• #10

Ill think Im going to cancel my order with 50resto and go to lowes tomorrow. Seems to me I remember their bolt selection and it was huge.

 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter

Oct 28, 2004

3,355

207

114

Ohio

Aug 16, 2005

#11

• Aug 16, 2005

• #11

Check with Greens, I got new Lower A Arms nuts and bolts from them. They have all kinds of obsolete ford parts

 

Numbles

Active Member

Dec 10, 2003

998

0

36

Chicago, IL

Aug 16, 2005

#12

• Aug 16, 2005

• #12

Never heard of greens. Are they a shop or website?

 

88GT17MA

Member

Nov 1, 2004

289

0

16

Aug 16, 2005

#13

• Aug 16, 2005

• #13

IDK man, thorough my experience with bolts that hold suspension components.....bad idea. This is just MY opinion but any vehicle I have worked on and swapped out a suspension bolt for "the highest grade bolt I could find" it would always match up, fit good, and last a little while. After that little while it just never all fits right. Bolts snap, ruin the surface of the bolt hole witch leads to more bolts in the same hole snapping, etc, etc. I wished I never found my old bolts at the hardware store and just did it the right way.

but....it could work great for others, just an outside opinion.....

 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter

Oct 28, 2004

3,355

207

114

Ohio

Aug 17, 2005

#14

• Aug 17, 2005

• #14

Numbles said:

Never heard of greens. Are they a shop or website?

Click to expand...

They have obsolete parts back to the 1950s!

http://greensalescompany.com/

Google is a great thing!

 

Numbles

Active Member

Dec 10, 2003

998

0

36

Chicago, IL

Aug 17, 2005

#15

• Aug 17, 2005

• #15

Went to lowes and they had the bolts. 5/8ths x 5 inches. And bolts and washers. Everywhere else only has up to 1/2 inch in grade 8 hardware.

 

5LugFoxFanatic

LOVE AND PEACE!

Founding Member

May 5, 2002

1,058

0

36

Arctic Tundra Hell, Twin Cites, Minnesota, USA

Aug 17, 2005

#16

• Aug 17, 2005

• #16

I matched them up with grade 8 ones at the local hardwre store. I replaced all of my bolts for the upper and lower arms for around 14 bucks.

 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter

Oct 28, 2004

3,355

207

114

Ohio

Aug 18, 2005

#17

• Aug 18, 2005

• #17

5LugFoxFanatic said:

I matched them up with grade 8 ones at the local hardwre store. I replaced all of my bolts for the upper and lower arms for around 14 bucks.

Click to expand...

Suspension bolts are Grade 10.9, if I were you I would put the correct bolts in the car! It is better to be safe, than to have an accident so you could save five bucks!

 

Numbles

Active Member

Dec 10, 2003

998

0

36

Chicago, IL

Aug 18, 2005

#18

• Aug 18, 2005

• #18

FWIW. The previous owner of my car had grade 5 bolts in for that rear control arms. The car has been launched on slicks countless times. Havent had a problem.

 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter

Oct 28, 2004

3,355

207

114

Ohio

Aug 18, 2005

#19

• Aug 18, 2005

• #19

Numbles said:

FWIW. The previous owner of my car had grade 5 bolts in for that rear control arms. The car has been launched on slicks countless times. Havent had a problem.

Click to expand...

I hope you are smart enough to change them! When they designed the car, they used Grade 10.5, you know as well as I do the beancounters will do anything to save a penny and downgrading suspension bolts has not been one of them! You are just asking for an accident with inferior bolts in there. Maybe you would like to fly in an airplane that has some hardware store nuts and bolts because they fit and are cheap instead of what belongs!