Hi all! Newbe here. I got (2) 2nd gen 4X4 rams, a '96 & '01. I am currentlly installing a 3" Rough Country lift kit on the '01 & came across something I haven't seen before. Could use some advice ASAP. I am trying to remove the nut to the lower suspension arm's pivot bolt at the axle end, and I am getting this stange 1/8 turn then it locks up. I keep working it cw & ccw w/a 700# impact driver and nothing. I know there is an eccentric ajustment cam below the nut cradled in the horseshoe shaped "bracket reinforment" per. my Haynes manual but, all instructions just say "removet the nut & knock out the pivot bolt w/a punch. Am I missing something? I appreciate the help.
By the way, I did use a paint pen & maked a line to ID the alighnment between the cam & bracket in case I ever do get the nut lose.

Thanks all.

 

Welcome to DF

One word "sawsall" the bolt is stuck/seized into the control arm bushing. New cam bolts are not cheap.

 

New bolts are $45 at www.spohn.net plus shipping. Not sure were else and prices.

 

Thanks guys, that link helps a bunch. Now I know what I am dealing with. I can salvage the eccentric washers by just drilling out the bolt to the point of knocking the nut off & then alter a standard bolt myself easy enough (I'm a mfg. eng. @ a machine shop). Going to torch it a bit more than hammer drill, here we come. Thanks again!

 

Yeah, I've don't think I've ever heard of anyone successfully getting those buggers out intact.

 

I ended up cuting the excess length of the bolt off, about a 1/2" or so, and after a couple of blades toasted, a little more heat, penetrating oil, and the impact driver finally got the nut off. Unfortunatelly now, I gotta figure out a good way to get the frozen/rusted-up bolt out. Die grinder w/a wire wheel & I got the face all cleaned up now just letting the pen. oil soak overnight. Hope 2 get a fresh start in the am. Thinking of using a cantwist or C-clamp some how or I'll try the palm nailer if I can find someting to thread on the end of the bolt. I think it's a 1/2-20 thread right? Maybe I'll beat on a lug nut. I'll let you know.

 

If you can get your hands on one of these tools and some of it's adapters you might get it out.

 

Good idea, I just rented one of those 2 weeks ago when I did my outer UV joint.

 

i had to cut my out as well. not gonna lie i said f*ck that and i went to a tractor supply and got some strong *** bolts the same shank and all that, and got the big washers for it, and put regular bolts in there.

 

I'll try and post a pic so you can see how determined I was to save the freackin hardened bolt. I rented a sweet c-clamp style UV tool and got the bolt head to finally break free but the sleeve is weled to the shaft is all I cn figure now after buting a heavy duty air chisek & going to town for a couple of hours, I am finallty going to say screw it & cut the freakin bolt. Damn, I am freackin sore & sun-burned, not good for an old guy like me, time for a beer or two and a couple of new saw blades. What a pain in the ***.