Rear control arm bolts

[psychomotors]

Hey guys. I had to cut the rearend out of my parts car with my sawsall because I couldn't get to bolts broke loose. Apparently they are 18mm? I'm not real worried about getting them out because I can now cut the heads off with a grinder and drive them out. The question is , how do I get the rearend out of my project car without tearing up anything. I don't have access to a lift or a cutting torch and I'm working on the cold ground and can only lift the car a couple foot up and set it on wood blocks( uncut firewood). Any suggestions?

 

[t5montecarlo]

Remove the wheels. Once the rear is unbolted, remove it from the car on a floor jack. The car doesn't have to be very high off the ground to remove the rear on a jack.

 

[psychomotors]

Thanks t5 but that aint the problem. Its how to get to the bolts out of the control arms that are still in the project car. Plus I'm working in a chat driveway-no concrete. I'm a Po'boy,lol I'm not sure if I have enuff room to grind the bolt heads off and not get hurt or mess anything up.

 

[psychomotors]

So....everyone that has taken the rearend out of their cars had a lift and a cutting torch? Or they came right out with a ratchet and a wrench? I guess I will see if I can get under it enuff to get my 4" grinder in there. A friend suggested an air chisel. I'm going to try that first.

 

[t5montecarlo]

I never had to cut any bolts. They will be tight and you need large wrenches and lubricant.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Every A/G body rear I ever dropped was done with hand tools. You may have to cut the bolt head/nut off, but then just drive it out with a drift & a hammer. It's easiest to knock the bolts out with the suspension somewhere around ride height to take the torque off the bolts. I had the rear in & out of Madge at least 3 times recently. Did it by myself with the wheels & tires on it & the car WAY up in the air...

Tommy

 

[psychomotors]

Thanks guys. I was going to replace the bolts anyway with some gold grade 8s with nylock nuts. I was just thinking I was doing something wrong. Only coil spring rearend I ever took out was a 71 Chevelle and it actually did come out with a ratchet and wrench because thats all I had,lol. All I have now is a cheap impact and it won't even touch it. I was also a lot younger back then and didn't have a screwed up back ,lol. My friend suggested PB Blaster as a penetrant. Any other suggestions?

 

[melloelky]

pb blaster works for me!i'm not trying to be a jerk but can you try and find something else to put the car on other than firewood.just don't like the sound of it please be safe,stay away from concrete blocks too.

 

[psychomotors]

Its the actual blocks of wood before they are split into firewood. They are actually pretty stable. Thanks and I will be careful,lol.

 

[1980PontiacWagon]

Go pick up the latest issue of car craft or hot rod magazine and flip threw till you find the harbor freight coupons..the have a coupon 2, three ton jack stands for 15 bucks...jack stands always come in handy