Spitfire Spitfire front suspension help needed

Good Morning,

I have a 1973 spitfire 1500, I am replacing the front suspension bushing, struts, springs, steering rack.

I am working on the passenger side of the car and trying to remove the top A-arm, I have the bolt next to the firewall out and working on the one closes to the bumper.

I have the nut off however I can not get the bolt to come out. I can turn the bolt with a wrench and I notice the bushings inside are turning with the bolt. No matter how much pressure I put on that bolt I can not get it to move. I have used a hammer to try and tap it out, I have use a Big C clamp with a bigger socket on the end with the bolt head and the other part on the end of the bolt to try and force it to pop out with not luck.

Any idea's of how I can get this out?

Heat and a really good penetrating oil. Sounds like the metal sleeve has rusted to the bolt.

Ok thanks sd80Mac, I am using pb blaster do you have any other suggestions for penetrating oil?

For that job, propane torch! (BTDT)

PB works great. Just let it soak in.

Other penetrating oils that work well are Kroil, Liquid Wrench, and the ever popular DIY mix of 50% ATF and 50% Acetone.

My suggestion would be to undo the large bolt/studs attaching the lower suspension brackets to the frame. That will allow you to take the entire A-arm assembly to the workbench where you can manhandle the assembly to deal with the bushings.

Ok thanks everyone for the help. This is a stupid question but do you heat up the bolt itself with the torch or do you heat up the A Arm end where the bushing sits?

Never really don't it before.

Heat the bolt, let it cool, heat, cool Heating the a arm will only melt the rubber and produce copious black smoke.

Jim

My angle grinder took that out with no problem whatsoever. 15 seconds total.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I ended up using my grinder with a cut off wheel after trying to heat the bolt for 25 minutes didn't do anything. I just purchased new bolts for the suspension replacement anyways..