CrisH

Hey guys and gals
I am trying to remove a front drivers side control arm. The nut is off but the bolt won't come out. I have done everything i have room to do. Its tight under there with the 3 rotor cradle. the back side slid right out. It look like the flat side of the cam washer got twisted. any recommendations?

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

That cam 'washer' is worn out. It's supposed to have 2 teeth like the bottom one in this pic.


Try rotating the bolt a wee bit so that the flat side is pointing upward toward the thicker hashmark in the cam washer where the tooth should have been. Then try to pry the 'washer' out of the channel with a flat screw driver. That should do it.

Also, FYI: https://www.rx7club.com/group-buy-pr...bolts-1111752/

CrisH

Thanks. What had happened is exactly what you were talking about. The cam washer twisted and locked on to the bolt as if it were a nut. I used an impact driver to spin it. Once it aligned with the flat side it popped right off. I am replacing all the cam bolts and washers on the car. I am literally doing all the suspension. All the bushings, balljoints, tie rods. The hardest part was getting the ball joints off to remove the lower control arms were unbelievable. I tried a pickle bar, hammer, balljoint removal tool that didn't work and then finally went to Harbor freight and bought theirs. It popped that sucker right off. I would recommend this tool. The best $2o I have spent. Picture attached.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

If no luck, cut the washer straight down from the flat spot with a small air cutting wheel. You can undo the tie
rod to make some room. Looks like the boot has been damaged during the challenge.

CrisH

Thanks for the help Guys. I got it.

ppritchard

Love to hear what the ride is like after your suspension Overhaul.

I've tried to update the parts, also tried having the bushings redone, but never made that much of a difference. I've wanted to replace everything, so I would love to know if it was worth it.

Keep us updated.

thanks.

CrisH

just got some of the last bushings pressed in. I am waiting on some parts that should arrive this week. I may have it on the ground by next week sometime is everything goes as planned. I will let you know how things work out. And yes it is expensive. I am doing virtually everything.

kensin

iTrader: (22)

i thought the front uper and lower balljoints were not separable ? or are you talking about the rear

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

He was trying to separate the ball joints from the spindle / upright - not extract them from the control arms.

Max_Spd

iTrader: (78)

N/a

CrisH

I bought a automotive front end tool kit at harbor freight for about 35 bucks. I used the pry tool to put stress on the top side of the ball joint to jeep it from spinning. I also used an impact wrench on the nut. That allowed me to get them off. You will probably munch the ball joint but I suspect you are planning on replacing it.

fdbeast

Took so long that I sold my fd already and I had my fd for 8+ years lol