View Single Post
  #9  
Old 07-25-2006, 12:27 AM
daddyO daddyO is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Posts: 3
Thumbs up Update...Update...Update

Success!!!

Thanks to all who responded to the request for help with the seized UCA bolt.
I ended up using a combination of methods to finally extract that cantenkerous bugger. First I applied the "big squeeze" with a ball jount press [yes I bought the Harbor Freight press (there is a retail store just a few miles from where I work) and I must say, for a $40 dollar tool, it really works well]. However, the squeeze alone wasn't enough. I ended up manuevering a pair of vise grips (after removing the shock) onto one of the bushings and then locked the pliers down. Then I took a wrench and rocked the UCA bolt back and forth until the bushing broke free from the bolt. Repeated the same thing on the other bushing. After the bolt could spin freely inside both bushing, I was able to push it out (fairly easily) with the force of the ball joint press. I'm glad this method worked, because I really wasn't enamored with the idea of melting parts with a torch. While I was this far into it, I went ahead and removed the steering knuckle (spindle) and replaced the lower ball jounts. Boy was that fun!! I laid about 500 ft/lbs of impact wrench torque into that press to drive those bad boys home. I was a little worried about pounding that hard on a cheap tool, but again it held up. Thanks again to all who replied.

Cheers,
DaddyO
Reply With Quote