Having Trouble Removing my Trailing Arms

[Rick C.]

The pivot bolt is being stubborn. First tried soaking with WD-40 over several days and then used heat with no luck. Using Mapgas for heat, so I guess it's not as hot as a torch, but it still seems to be getting pretty hot. I'm placing an 12" extension over the end of the bolt and then pound on the end of the extension with a heavy mallet and it doesn't budge. This is on my '71. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Rick

[Pete B.]

Re: Having Trouble Removing my Trailing Arms

You may not be able to remove them with out using a saws-all the bolt welds itself to the spacer and the bushing. Mine was SOLID as a rock no heat hammering or anything would make it budge.

It is a B*tch to do but I had no choice. You need a blade long enough to reach in I think I used 6" (you want it as short as possible)
I couldn't hear for the next 3 days so use ear plugs and go slow.

One of them jobs you only want to do once, so lube up the bolts and spacers when you reassemble.

Pete

[Edward J.]

Re: Having Trouble Removing my Trailing Arms

Rick, If you have tryed wacking it out with a B.F.H. there only a few other choices- torchs or as Pete says saws-all. Once the bolt seizes into the sleeve in the trailing arm theres not much you can do. if you have the trailing arms with the sloted shims, just remove them that will give you room for the saws-all or torchs. Good Luck

[Larry M.]

Re: Having Trouble Removing my Trailing Arms

Buy or borrow a SAWSALL and cut them out. This is what many of us have had to do. Proven success rate.

I purchased a new SAWSALL last year just for this job, anticipating the worst. Fortunately, the bolts came out without any issues at all. So, now I have a new SAWSALL to use for other home projects.

Larry

[Rick C.]

Re: Having Trouble Removing my Trailing Arms

Thanks guys. I was afraid a sawsall was going to be the answer. My shims are not slotted (unless the slot is on the back end where I can't see it) so I'm not sure the best place to start the cut to minmize the risk of damage and the smallest area to cut.

Rick

[Edward J.]

Re: Having Trouble Removing my Trailing Arms

Rick, I believe that 71 had the slotted shims, if theres a long cotter pin through the frame there slotted. I believe 70 the shims were not slotted.

[Joe L.]

Re: Having Trouble Removing my Trailing Arms

Thanks guys. I was afraid a sawsall was going to be the answer. My shims are not slotted (unless the slot is on the back end where I can't see it) so I'm not sure the best place to start the cut to minmize the risk of damage and the smallest area to cut.

Rick

Rick------



The slot is on the inside end only. So, you won't be able to see it. If yours is a 71, it should have the slotted shims. However, sometimes the whole shebang will be rusted solid and you won't be able to get the shims out. In that case, you have to cut through them with the Sawzall------not a pleasant operation.

TIP: replace only with stainless steel shims and to hell with originality of shim material.

[Thomas H.]

Re: Having Trouble Removing my Trailing Arms

Rick,

I was able to work the shims loose on my 71 and evetually get them out before I took the sawzall to the bolt. Get several good blades and don't be afraid to change blades once the cutting slows. The blade only contacts the bolt over a short distance and wears quickly. I think I used about 6 or 7 blades.

Don't forget to support the rotor side of the trailing arm as you cut.

Tom

PS: I have no clue why there is a bottle of window cleaner in these pictures..............

[Keith L.]

Re: Having Trouble Removing my Trailing Arms

I would have used PB Blaster instead of WD40. I have got some things to free up but it takes sometimes weeks of spraying and waiting.

[Michael M.]

Re: Having Trouble Removing my Trailing Arms

Buy or borrow a SAWSALL and cut them out. This is what many of us have had to do. Proven success rate.

I purchased a new SAWSALL last year just for this job, anticipating the worst. Fortunately, the bolts came out without any issues at all. So, now I have a new SAWSALL to use for other home projects.

Larry

Do you mean like this!