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Lower Control arm replacement. Trouble removing them.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mypriuscious, Nov 7, 2019.

  1. mypriuscious

    mypriuscious Member

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    I have a 2010 Prius with 345,000 miles and I needed new Lower Control Arms. The rubber at the back was really starting to crack. So I got a pair of them from NAPA and gave it to my normal mechanic.

    Here's where the trouble starts, the bolts that you have to basically have to move the engine to get to on one side will not come lose. They've broken two 1/2 ratchets attempting it. Also, pneumatic tools have also been unable to help.

    Anyone here experienced this or know of someone that has? What did you do to remedy the situation?
     
  2. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Nine years of road salt evidently has taken it's toll.

    Depending on where the bolts are and what material it goes into, it wire brushing, time with a penetrating oil and heat from a torch that is needed to remove the bolts. If they break anything, you pay the price.

    For those who pave "poo pooed" rustproofing as unnecessary, had it been applied in the areas of the bolts years ago, removal would be easy. To me and others like Mendel, rustproofing or just spraying the bolted connections with rustproofing is worth the cost.

    Check out this thread;

    Rustproofing the suspension | PriusChat
     
    #2 Georgina Rudkus, Nov 7, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2019
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  3. mypriuscious

    mypriuscious Member

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    Thank you for that link, very informative. This bolt is a massive one with virtually no rust visible. So, we'll see what happens. I figured it would be a much easier job.
     
  4. Tande

    Tande Active Member

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    I'm sorry, but I have to ask......345,000 mi. ........is that with the original engine?.......
     
  5. mypriuscious

    mypriuscious Member

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    No, I replaced the motor a year and six months ago.
     
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  6. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Because the exterior of the bolt looks clean, it does not mean that the contact between the threads of the bolt and the female threads are clean. Water vapor is a gas and readily penetrates and deposits in that area. Any salt or electrolyte will soon follow into the crack or crevice and cause an electrolytic reaction that locks the two pieces together.
     
  7. Tande

    Tande Active Member

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    Thank You........
     
  8. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    Mechanics in Michigan have advocated lots of heat when removing rusted suspension bolts. I'd suggest a propane torch as long as its safely away from rubber and plastic that should stay on the vehicle. Heat up the bolt and then tap the threaded end with a hammer to break up the rust. When you're done I'd get the bolt hot again and then spray with some penetrating oil. I've also heard hot wax (candle) will climb threads as well/better than oil will. Have a fire extinguisher handy just in case.
     
    #8 mjoo, Nov 8, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2019
  9. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    When I reassemble these components, I always apply either high temperature brake component grease or anti-seize lubricant to the threads.

    I would buy new bolts and chase the female threads that the bolts go into when they are reassembled. Cheap insurance.
     
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  10. mypriuscious

    mypriuscious Member

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    The threads aren't visible on this bolt.
     
  11. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    You're not tapping the threads you're tapping the threaded end (the end with the nut)

    Pixel XL ?
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Do you reduce torque? I've got a book (Pocket Ref, by Thomas J. Glover) with various torque reduction recommendations: "silver grade anti-seize" suggests 0.90. Then for "never-seize", it's 0.45. That's pretty much the gamut.
     
  13. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    For an ISO 10.9 or 11 grade bolt, a 10% increase in torque doesn't matter. Most all technicians almost never use a torque wrench in tightening suspension bolts.

    The difference is significant in lightweight designs for aircraft or spacecraft where design margins a small.
     
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  14. mypriuscious

    mypriuscious Member

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    I'm sorry, what I meant was is that the only visible of the bolt is the head. You cannot see, or access the threaded end.
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    This is front suspension? If so, is it one of the highlighted items? Or?

    upload_2019-11-8_10-32-51.png
     
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  16. mypriuscious

    mypriuscious Member

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    I've circled the parts or area of parts that I'm talking about. And the bolt, I think.
     

    Attached Files:

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  17. 2012 Prius v wagon 3

    2012 Prius v wagon 3 Active Member

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    EDIT - new answer after seeing the bolt.

    Something to try - Sometimes (very rarely though) on suspension parts, like maybe that one there, they use locking serrated nuts so that when tightened, the flat surface on the nut flange will dig into the mating surface. It becomes virtually impossible to remove the nut. So the trick is to loosen it from the bolt head, not the nut. Hold the nut from moving with one wrench, and loosen the bolt head with the other wrench / socket.

    EDIT - the stuff below was written before I saw the ID on the bolt.

    The fact that your mechanic is stumped and has broken two ratchets means it is maybe not an easy problem. So a little more detail in exactly what the problem bolt is would help.

    Photo?

    So far, I think you've been getting general advice for undoing fasteners, and you may need something more specific here.
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Breaking ratchets cus he's using cheater bars, overtaxing them? Gotta have the right tools (quote from my father in law).

    Milwaukee Tools heavy weight battery impact would probably do?

    Or a 24~30" breaker bar?

    I'll post some repair manual info when I'm home.
     
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  19. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    I ran into a similar issue on my daughters Suzuki SX4. Following a video tutorial, a broke a couple of tools on the vertical nut/bolt. Turned out the method in the video was utter BS as the nut was an integral cast part of the lower control arm and NOT meant to be removed. o_O

    Anyway looking at the circled parts above, it doesn't look to be the same issue.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Here's the info:
     

    Attached Files:

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