Rear control arm to sub-frame connection issue
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Joined: Aug 2017
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2005 E320 CDI
Rear control arm to sub-frame connection issue
Dear W211 Gurus:
A task that could have taken one hour at most has consumed three days of my Christmas holidays!
I wanted to take my 2005 E30-CDI's rear control arm off but got into a serious mess. When I tried to get the bolt that connects the control arm to sub-frame, its rusty head stripped. The bolt would not budge whatsoever!
I first put a vise-gripon the threaded end that was sticking out about a 1/2", trying to rotate the rusted frozen bolt but it was impossible to move it. I then I thought I would cut the head out and hammer the bolt out. After cutting the head and putting a pneumatic hammer and chisel to the bolt, it did not budge even a mm! You can see the chisel mark digging into the bolt reminisce on the first picture in below.
I then used a ball-joint extractor to force the bolt out. I put a huge amount of force, but with no success in getting the bolt to move even a mm.
At this stage, I attempted to get the entire bushing out. No matter how much force I put on the bushing via the balljoint extractor, that darn thing did not move.
I ask for your suggestions. What the heck is going on?! Am I missing something? This bolt should have come out witha limited amount of force. I must be missing a trick. I would appreciate any constructive suggestions.
Cheers,
Farid
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
You are going to need to use a real bushing press/pull kit to get it out. I found a nice set for $119 on Amazon. (EDIT: My bad. You can't use a bushing press/pull kit unless you can remove the center bolt. Go with option 2 below.)
Possibly you can use a Dremel tool to cut out as much of the rubber bushing as possible, or alternatively use a torch to burn out most of the bushing (safety applies to this!), then press out the center piece, then use a chisel to collapse the outer shell towards the center-line of the bushing's hole in the subframe.
Personally, I'd attempt option one first.
No matter which way you go, it's going to be a mess. Good luck with it. Once finished, be sure to buy yourself a beer.
Possibly you can use a Dremel tool to cut out as much of the rubber bushing as possible, or alternatively use a torch to burn out most of the bushing (safety applies to this!), then press out the center piece, then use a chisel to collapse the outer shell towards the center-line of the bushing's hole in the subframe.
Personally, I'd attempt option one first.
No matter which way you go, it's going to be a mess. Good luck with it. Once finished, be sure to buy yourself a beer.
Last edited by bbirdwell; Dec 29, 2017 at 09:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2017
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2005 E320 CDI
Dear Bbirdwell:
Thanks for your suggestions. I had already used torch; very hard to burn anything of substance in there. I also drilled around the rubber bushing, as far as I could get the bits in (broke 4 bits because of lack of space and angling the bits!). I then used the heavy duty bushing press, exactly like the one shown in the picture., but no success! The only thing I did not attempt was chiseling the bushing metal inward, which I will attempt it tomorrow!
Happy New Year!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7
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2005 E320 CDI
Happy New Year all:
Just wanted to share my experience with you! After 4 days of struggle, I finally managed to take the bushing out. Due to space constraint, this is the ONLY solution!
Cheers!
