Need help quick! Rear Lower Control Arm.

[caine0]

I'm in the middle of switching my springs, so I decided to do the lower control arms at the same time. The uppers looked tough to get too, but I figured I wouldn't have a problem with the lowers... well I am!

I am having problems getting the bolt out of the lower control arm to frame connection. I got the nut off no problem, then tried hammering out the bolt from where the nut was, but it won't budge. I can't get a wrench into the hole where the bolt is because my muffler is only about an inch or so away from it. I would take off my muffler, but my entire exhaust system is all welded. I also tried putting pliers on the end that the nut was and tried to turn the bolt from that side, but there's not enough room to move the pliers and I can't get a good enough grip. Do I need to line up the control arm in some way so that I can hammer it out like I was trying before?

So what do you guys do when you switch lower control arms? Any tricks? Is it impossible to do without taking the muffler off? Thanks, I need to finish this tonight.

 

[CManT1914]

Try putting a jack underneath the actual control arm and lifting it a little bit. If the rear is dropped completely, then there might be to much tension on that bolt. Then, get a BFH and pound it till it comes.

 

[JerryDaugherty]

Yea you need to either jack the control arm or the rear up it will relieve the tension. then just wriggle the control arm around while you hold the bolt. you will feel when there is some slack then just bang it out.

 

[caine0]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a shot.