A-Arm disassembly - 66 Barracuda

[Miranthis]

I have the car on a rotisserie. The Guys left the upper a arms on the body when it went to media blasting. I asked them why and they said they could not get them off. THese are not regular MOPAR guys, but now that its all blasted I DO need to get them off. The A Arms move but it feels like the cam bolts are frozen tot the A Arms. Is it just a matter of beating them out? Here are pics of them.

 

[remytherat]

. Is it just a matter of beating them out?

yes. be careful to not mess up the threads.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

Put the nut on part way without the eccentric washer and use the push pin on a good air chisel inside the opening of the nut. What I mean buy good air chisel is my snap-on has much more push power then other cheaper styles. This usually breaks them free pushes them right out. Take the nut off and pull it out the rest of the way.

 

[Syleng1]

Or use a sawzall with a thin bit and on the in side of the outer mount slice thru the bolt and the bushing.

This ruins the bolt and the bushing but not the arm or body if you do it correctly. I had to take mine off before blasting because inside that area is prone to rust thru and crucial to get blasted if you’ve gone this far.

Syleng1

 

[65 Cuda 340]

Or use a sawzall with a thin bit and on the in side of the outer mount slice thru the bolt and the bushing.

This ruins the bolt and the bushing but not the arm or body if you do it correctly. I had to take mine off before blasting because inside that area is prone to rust thru and crucial to get blasted if you’ve gone this far.

Syleng1

Yes, the cam bolts can rust in place and it can be the devil getting them off. Then it's time to start cutting.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

I stripped many of rusted up cars and never once had one the air chisel didn't push out since I started using that method posted above. Swinging a hammer in there is pretty tight. You can use the air chisel at and angle by leaving the nut off part way and putting the tip of the air chisel punch in the nut. The hammering vibration of the chisel itself loosens the bolt in the sleeve

The bolts are pretty hard , If sawing them get a couple of blades and you will need to saw both sides of the bolt. Pack a lunch you'll be there a while if doing all 4 . LOL

 

[RustyRatRod]

What happens to those washers over time is, people over torque the nuts, usually with an impact gun like an idiot and it compresses the holes in the washers around the threads on the bolts and kind of "locks" to the bolts. Once you get them apart, take a file and gently dress the inside diameter of the holes in the washers and they'll slide on easily again. Probably the best thing would be to find some bolts and washers in better condition, as those have likely been stretched too much. I wouldn't get new ones though. All those are junk. I'd get some used ones in good condition. Jim V (@hemi71x), routinely has them in good shape and he is a great guy. I'm sure he'll be glad to fix you up.

 

[hemi71x]

[FOR SALE] - Upper Control Arm Mounting Bolts & Washers. A, B, E, Body Cars. Complete Set of 4.
Jim V.
hemi71x

 

[Miranthis]

Two bolts, one on each side, fractured from trying to remove it. Both those are still frozen solid.

If i understand you guys correctly, the bushing, the cam bolt/nut, and the central core in which that bolt rides are all replacement parts and I do not have to worry about messing them up. What i can't screw up is the mounting brackets on the frame and the parts of the UCA itself through which the bushing mounts, right?

 

[Syleng1]

Two bolts, one on each side, fractured from trying to remove it. Both those are still frozen solid.

View attachment 1716479442View attachment 1716479443

If i understand you guys correctly, the bushing, the cam bolt/nut, and the central core in which that bolt rides are all replacement parts and I do not have to worry about messing them up. What i can't screw up is the mounting brackets on the frame and the parts of the UCA itself through which the bushing mounts, right?

Basically - correct. You need to save the tabs because they connect to the “frame.” And take a look at some of the control arms that come up for sale here. Look at how they have the bushing and shell of the bushing pressed into the control arm. You can over torque the bolts and snap the nuts off to release the squeeze pressure and honestly RRR is correct about getting new or better shape cam bolts. But if they do not come apart with an air hammer then cut like I suggested. But before you cut… make sure you understand what you are looking at 100% so you do not create more issue than what you have now.
Good luck. I wish I was closer to help you in person because I’ve done this a few times. It is easy “if” you understand why you are doing what you are doing.

Also while cutting or hammering or anything soak in PB blaster a few days before. If you sawzall them use a cutting oil on the cut to help aid killing blades prematurely.

 

[Miranthis]

Appreciate the advice. The A arms can rotate up and down. I will try the air hammer route. First though, I need to get the upper ball joints out.

I have a set of cam bolts on the way from Hemi71x.