Problems/Service/Repairs If you have a problem with your HHR, want a tip on repairing or performing a particular service to you HHR here is the place to post!

Lower control arm

Old Jul 3, 2020 | 07:13 PM
  #31  
firemangeorge's Avatar
Platinum Member
 
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
I know it was said not to use an impact gun back on page 1 but maybe now it's time to try one. Since the bolt is stuck it's not worth reusing anyway.
Get a good impact with the proper impact socket and give it a try.
Old Jul 7, 2020 | 03:14 PM
  #32  
HHRnovice's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: 10-31-2016
Posts: 115
From: Plattsburgh
Originally Posted by Bonez
An air chisel with the point, just hammer straight up on the bolt head, it will loosen any rust in the sleeve and possibly the nut to help the oil work through sometimes.
I don't own an air chisel but I do have a hammer drill. Would that work?
Old Jul 7, 2020 | 03:16 PM
  #33  
HHRnovice's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: 10-31-2016
Posts: 115
From: Plattsburgh
Originally Posted by firemangeorge
I know it was said not to use an impact gun back on page 1 but maybe now it's time to try one. Since the bolt is stuck it's not worth reusing anyway.
Get a good impact with the proper impact socket and give it a try.
If a hammer drill doesn't work I think I might try an impact gun as long as the dealer has the parts.
Old Jul 7, 2020 | 03:43 PM
  #34  
Oldblue's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,091
From: Welland,Ont Canada
Can you get that hammer drill and bit under the bolt, is the HHR jacked up high enough and securely on jack stands?
Old Jul 7, 2020 | 04:09 PM
  #35  
RJ_RS_SS_350's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: 05-01-2014
Posts: 8,512
From: California
Hammer drills don't usually allow you to just use the hammer function without rotating the bit. Maybe you mean a Roto-hammer? SDS, or SDS plus?
Old Jul 7, 2020 | 09:06 PM
  #36  
HHRnovice's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: 10-31-2016
Posts: 115
From: Plattsburgh
I can't get the hammer drill and bit directly under the bolt because even though the car is on jack stands it's not that high. I thought maybe hammering on the side of the bolt might help. My hammer drill can be set to hammer without rotating.
Old Jul 8, 2020 | 07:07 AM
  #37  
Oldblue's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,091
From: Welland,Ont Canada
Worth a try! See if it shakes the sleeve and the rust loose.
Old Jul 18, 2020 | 02:17 PM
  #38  
HHRnovice's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: 10-31-2016
Posts: 115
From: Plattsburgh
I had someone help me with the rear bolt today. Using a 1/2" breaker bar and cheater pipe it took both of us to get it loose. After many turns it will not come off. While he turned it I looked at the top of the bolt through the engine bay. I could see it turning but that's all it will do. It seems that the welds on the nut have broken loose so the only solution is to cut off the nut. No fun on jack stands as someone has said. What is odd is that it is still quite difficult to turn the bolt. Would that be possible if the welds are broken?
Old Jul 18, 2020 | 03:00 PM
  #39  
RJ_RS_SS_350's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: 05-01-2014
Posts: 8,512
From: California
That means that the bolt is rusted to the sleeve. Cutting the nut off alone will not allow you to extract it.
Old Jul 18, 2020 | 03:17 PM
  #40  
Oldblue's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,091
From: Welland,Ont Canada
I just dealt with my driver’s side LCA rear bolt , the nut spins in the cage , I could get a screwdriver wedged in the cage. And that held enough that I could turn the bolt. Mine was apart just last July for the LCA’s to be replaced, whoever did the work didn’t liberally slather neverseize in the bolts threads or shank.
Thankfully I was just going to remove the bolt , lube it and put it back in. Maintenance if you will.
which side of the car are you working on , if you can see the cagenut from the engine bay it must be the passenger side.
if you remove the swaybar bushings , you might have more room to get in there with a Sawzall fitted with a 9 inch blade to cut the cage and the bolt , then a pickle fork to get the bolt out.
if the bolt is seized in the sleeve more cutting is required on the top and bottom of the bolt inside the cavity the LCA fits in.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:26 AM.