I'm reinstalling my front lower control arm and I can't get the long vertical bolt that secures it to thread into the subframe/unibody. *Even without the arm in place it won't thread in. Has anybody had this issue? The only way I can think to fix it is to heli-coil/threadsert but I'm not sure if they make it for that size? Any help/advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

Fred

 

Either rethread it with a proper tap that you might have to order or cut off the welded nut thats on the frame. Is this the gront or rear bolt on the front lca?

 

That bolt is pretty big... can you feel the threads? Does it feel screwed up?

Did the bolt come out alright? I find it hard to believe that a bolt that came out alright won't go back in... though I've been there.

How does the bolt itself look? Maybe just throw some PB blaster in there to break up the rust a bit, and then get some lube on there to make sure it's all kosher.

 

It is the rear bolt for the lca that goes vertically up into the car. The bolt looked fine. I even ordered another from the dealer to make sure it wasn't the bolt. The bolt came out fine. I'm going to try the pb blaster and try to find the correct tap. Thanks guys

Fred

 

try spraying some brake cleaner in the hole to clean it out a bit. Does it at least start to thread? Sometimes they don't necessarily thread in by hand so easy, possibly from any threadlocker previously on there, but with a ratchet they should go in smooth.

When you get this situation all sorted out and you go to put the bolt through the lca, make sure there is no weight on the bolt as your tightening it up.

 

Tommi, it doesn't start to thread at all, even when using a socket wrench. I'm pretty sure the threads are just shot. Thanks

Fred

 

like Czarcasm said, try running the correct thread tap through the hole

 

Wrong answer, nevermind.

 

Can we also discuss that you're apparently having the worst luck in the world with bolt threading?