Bolt removal on control arm question....

[VAPORBLADE]

Dude, you must have some huge arm power. Or some way to brace yourself. With my car being on jack stands (not really high either) going though the engine bay was the only thing that was working. I also had a bent wrench.

However, it could be the new england salt winters that really make that thing stick!

[StereoInstaller1]

Shit, guys, the bent 22mm end wrench takes me about maybe 8 minutes to pull a ball joint nut.

-maybe I just kick ass-who knew?

[VAPORBLADE]

heh - I am doing this right now. PITA.

I got it done - but I ended up going at it from up top. I used about 20-30" of extensions, a 22mm crows foot, and a breaker bar. I got them both, but it felt like a shit load of torque just to get them off. Oh, i also blasted them with PB and let them soak it up before I took them off.

[buzdof]

This is such a terrible job :(

I did mine last weekend and it took way too long to get those bolts out but I'm just happy I'm done!

[deutschman]

wow this has been gone over sp many times! lol! seams like everyone asks this... i did...
it just takes time. lots and lots of time, and a stuby open ended 22mm wrench.

[VAPORBLADE]

heh - I am doing this right now. PITA.

[Jean]

Maybe I'll just lower the front sub-frame, I looked and there is just barely any room on m20 vs m10 car.

[Aptyp]

boooo, undo your motor mounts (2 bolts) take your jack and place under your oil pan with whole lot of soft stuff on the jack. Lift the engine 2 inches, Voila you now have room for a wrench.

[Mtriple]

I'm doing this right now. Just got the driver side done using an impact and a jack under the control arm as Lee mentioned. I'm not sure how I'm going to tackle the passenger side...

[2002maniac]

one of these in 7/8 does the trick. much better than an open end wrench.

[reelizmpro]

I was able to do it with a 22mm box wrench on my M3. Had clearance issues on the passenger side but managed to get it done like a 1/4 turn at a time.

[Eric Giles]

is a crows foot absolutely necessary, or can you just use a regular 22mm socket?

On the passenger side, there isn't enough clearance for a socket unless you unbolt the passenger motor mount from the subframe and slightly lift the motor. Otherwise, a crow's foot is all that I have found will fit when doing this from above.

[Schniddy]

is a crows foot absolutely necessary, or can you just use a regular 22mm socket?

[etajohn]

"The REAL BS is to get the bushings on and off...."

I'm avoiding that problem with new control arms and already installed new bushings ready to go.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

[ron1999]

I have always used the following:

22mm crows foot
Swivel/U-joint
Extenion(s) long enough so that a ratchet will clear the top of the motor

Use a 1/2 drive tools, all of the above -
i just made this work last weekend.
to get high enough i had to connect about 3 adapters , than used a ratchet.



The REAL BS is to get the bushings on and off....



Ron.