Can't get rear arm locking bolt out, any suggestions
Hey HT,
I can't get one of the rear adjusting bolts out. The other side came out fine, but i can't get the drivers side out. it looks like the bolt needs to be turned a certain way before it's hammered out, but i just can't find the right combination.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
p.s. i already have the locking nut off, i just can't get the adjusting bolt itself out
I can't get one of the rear adjusting bolts out. The other side came out fine, but i can't get the drivers side out. it looks like the bolt needs to be turned a certain way before it's hammered out, but i just can't find the right combination.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
p.s. i already have the locking nut off, i just can't get the adjusting bolt itself out
You'll just have to make sure the nut and washer are removed, then line up the cam on the bolt with the hole and hammer it out. Don't know of any secrets or anything
Might have a little rust in there or something...
Might have a little rust in there or something...
what do you mean the "cam of the bolt" the head end is awkwardly shaped and the nut side does have a sort of straight cut on the end. (hard to describe but kinda looks like a U and upside-down U if you overlap them.
I did try spraying some heavy duty rust remover and took a hammer to the bolt with no luck.
I did try spraying some heavy duty rust remover and took a hammer to the bolt with no luck.
Oh nevermind I was thinking of the adjusters with the cams on the bolt, but we have an offset flange on the bolt head instead....sorry. Number 31:

Did you remove the washer, #33?
If not, it's probably just seized in the bushing.

Did you remove the washer, #33?
If not, it's probably just seized in the bushing.
5th gen. Mine was frozen. Had to cut the rear subframe to get the control arm off. Drivers side as well.
Last edited by E-Money; Feb 5, 2012 at 01:39 PM. Reason: Add.
I went down the same road when I did an all suspension rebuild. Do not hammer it. I try and bent the plate behind it. Then had to try to straight it and turn into a big problem. Go to home depot get a good. And I truly mean good saw blade like a ten buck blade for your sawzaw. I know spelling not right. And cut the bolt out between the plate and rubber. We used some lube spray to try keep the blade cool. Then that bolt u cut off u Will need from Honda, ten bucks one bolt. I had to cut both and get the nuts and washer. Like thirty bucks. And no u need oem. No hope and trying a hardware store.
The bolt has become one with the rubber, that's why hamming it will cause more problems. I hammered so much I made a mess that made me have to break a welder out. U will most Likely have to buy the the rear toe arm. 65 buck oem Honda. Or a set from Megan racing pair 175. Performance pair don't know if comes with hardware.
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tried again and still could not get this bolt off. It looks like the bolt goes in a metal sleeve and the rubber is around the sleeve.
I find it hard to believe that after all the spray and hammer hits that it will not come loose. the bolt does turn right and left, but will not hammer out.
Any other ideas before i try a saw? not sure there is enough room there to squeeze one in.
Thanks,
Steve
I find it hard to believe that after all the spray and hammer hits that it will not come loose. the bolt does turn right and left, but will not hammer out.
Any other ideas before i try a saw? not sure there is enough room there to squeeze one in.
Thanks,
Steve
Don't take this the wrong one but I just went down this road and u may find the hammering u r doing u bowing the back plate out. Which will cause u more of a headache. Like the one I caused my self. I work out a body shop with Almost endless supply of tools. And what me and five tech decided to do is saw it out. I don't know of any other way to tell u. Take the toe arm move it side to side and bent to back and forward. Take your top of the line mental cutting blade and cut that bolt and that's it.
It is tight and may take time. Your blade is going to get very hot and is going to hit the bracket above the toe arm. So try to watch out for that. It will bend the blade around. Let the blade cool and hammer it flat. Start on one side and go all the way from that side. More u stop cutting, harder to start the blade again with it not wanting to jump around. Wish u best of luck I had to do it to both toe arms and straight one bracket and some welding. I don't think a torch is good idea because look In front of u (gas tank)
*EDIT: #25 in the pic above
Thanks cullylude05 for all the info.
I just went to lowes and got a cutting wheel and i cut both sides, so now the only problem is the middle part is stuck. how does that come out?
Thanks
Thanks cullylude05 for all the info.
I just went to lowes and got a cutting wheel and i cut both sides, so now the only problem is the middle part is stuck. how does that come out?
Thanks
I don't know for sure, but the way I did my bushings is in here: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-prelude-4/diy-4g-prelude-front-suspension-rebuild-ball-joints-bearings-bushings-etc-3001671/
negative, still looks like it does in post #11.
i can't get a bolt through the bushing to even try to press it out since the bolt i cut is still there.
The only thing i can think of is to torch the bushing and then either press a new one in or take it to Honda.
I wonder if Honda can get the current one out with the bolt cut and stuck in the middle.
I'm up for any ideas. I still don't understand why the bolt part won't slide (hammer) out, i mean did it fuse with the metal sleeve of the bushing?
i can't get a bolt through the bushing to even try to press it out since the bolt i cut is still there.
The only thing i can think of is to torch the bushing and then either press a new one in or take it to Honda.
I wonder if Honda can get the current one out with the bolt cut and stuck in the middle.
I'm up for any ideas. I still don't understand why the bolt part won't slide (hammer) out, i mean did it fuse with the metal sleeve of the bushing?
Can u try prying with a pry bar maybe bend the sides a little, then pry down on it. Just so I'm on the same page, its the rubber bushing is still stuck in-between or r u trying to get the bushing off the sleeve? Is that what u r saying. I hope this works out for u man
I would just go ahead and take your whole arm out and press the bushing out. It would be an easy job for any shop with a press. Then you can have them press a new one in and be all fixed up.
Do u feel like its safe to but a torch on it. Even if its not to close to your tank. U have been spraying the bolt to try to break it free. So be careful with heat
can i just take the castle nut off the one side and lift the arm out, or would i need something to get it off?
Then i could just take it to honda i guess and have them press a new one in. That's if i thought they could get this fused one out?
thoughts?
Thanks
Then i could just take it to honda i guess and have them press a new one in. That's if i thought they could get this fused one out?
thoughts?
Thanks
Well u can try that, u may need a split fork or I think u can turn the castle nut around and thread it down a little and hit it with a hammer but u may want to get someone else opinion like hawkze. Because I'm not 100 percent sure about that. If u get it out, clean it down then maybe u can heat it up and have some luck. Someone jump in if they got a idea or know the best way for him, so doesn't have more problems. Good luck. I got to go to bed. P.s if u get it out and Honda wants to sell u a new arm
u may want to check with another shop first. Anything to save a buck
u may want to check with another shop first. Anything to save a buck
Thanks.
I ordered the replacement bolt and bushing from honda this morning, they said about 2 days for it to come in.
I asked if I brought the lower arm in could they swap in the new bushing and they said it shouldnt be a problem.
I am going to try and remove the arm tonight. I think I may have a balljoint fork I will try, if not that maybe the hammer idea
If all goes well maybe I can drop the arm off friday morning and pick it up friday evening.
Just taking it one step at a time for now
I ordered the replacement bolt and bushing from honda this morning, they said about 2 days for it to come in.
I asked if I brought the lower arm in could they swap in the new bushing and they said it shouldnt be a problem.
I am going to try and remove the arm tonight. I think I may have a balljoint fork I will try, if not that maybe the hammer idea

If all goes well maybe I can drop the arm off friday morning and pick it up friday evening.
Just taking it one step at a time for now



