Here's the deal: The lateral links to the rear driver-side hub are held in place by a 10" bolt that connects both. I got the nut off AOK, but the bolt itself is stuck in place, I think seized in the bushings that hold it there. I soaked it overnight in Liquid Wrench, took a breaker-bar and a hammer to it, and attempted to get it off by jumping on the breaker-bar too. I'm considering a torch + dynamite. Anyone have any ideas or tricks to get this bolt off? Am I missing something else I need to remove?
Heh, I just removed two of those this weekend. Yes, it is rusted in there. So, if you take off the rear lateral link (unbolt it by the diff) or both if necessary I guess, then you can take the whole assembly off and get it in a vice or something and you can maybe drive the bolt out. Otherwise a sawzall works well, then you'll have to replace the bushings in the lateral link ends too. I have one used but still good bolt and a few bushings here if you end up needing them.
those were both stuck on my car as well (i took them off 2 weekends ago). make sure to put the nut on the end if you're going to hammer on them - otherwise your threads will be f'd. i got mine out by just beating the hell out of them with a hammer and periodically twisting the bolt around with a breaker (you could hear/see the bushing jump instead of the bolt moving lol)
Thanks, I was wondering if I was missing something securing them in place. I'll bust out the hammer some more. Carl, if you're willing to divulge, could you PM me the total price of your cage that Whiskers did? Looking to compare to what Lou Feger Racing charges.
I broke a vice trying to remove mine a while ago. Vise does not = press ;-( I tried impact gun, air hammer, BFH. None of them would budge it. I ended up melting the bushes to remove the links, then cut the bolt flush with the knuckle on all 4 sides of it, then must patience, PB blaster, and a punch i was able to push them out. If they are stuck to the bushes your never gonna be able to use them again and will need new ones. Good time to get some poly bushes since they are same cost as new OEM's. Pics here if it helps. http://oksubaru.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=203&g2_page=1
One bolt I was able to bust free with my impact wrench. The other I cut off between the knuckle and the bushings, that was I could get the knuckle out of the way. I then used a combination of an old hub, new 10 inch lateral bolt, old wheel bearing, old brake pad and a hydrauling 12 ton 3-jaw puller to push the bushings of of the lateral links. I'd need a picture to really explain how that worked, but it actually went really well.
If I ever mess with them on a car I know it is going to be a pain, I buy new bolts. The $21 each is well worth the time you save when you do not have to worry about wrecking them. When you put the bolt back in, cover it with grease.
I pulled the lateral link out with it. I think with some heat to melt it I won't need a new bolt, just the bushing. This is on Rich's old 2.5rs btw. Getting resto'd.
