Track arm bolt is killing me

[ebbronco]

So is there something I’m failing to understand about the track arm removal? Lower nut off, no sweat and the nut on the bolt up high spun right off, but I can’t push the bolt out for anything. What the crud? I must be overlooking something. I hit the bolt with a 2x4 and maul, until the bolt is completely buried in the wood. Okay, would somebody school me on this? I’ll gladly bear comments on my incompetence if y’all will tell me what might be the issue.

 

[spap]

Isn’t it welded to the back

 

[Shimmy]

Yes, its tacked on the head side in a few places. you need to cut it out if you are trying to remove it. Are you trying to install a TB riser bracket?

 

[ebbronco]

Yes, its tacked on the head side in a few places. you need to cut it out if you are trying to remove it. Are you trying to install a TB riser bracket?

I’m replacing the bushings. The bolt spins freely in the mount and through the bar. Maybe I’m calling it the wrong thing. It sits diagonally and is minted to the front axle housing low and to the frame, high.

 

[ebbronco]

Sorry, ‘mounted’

 

[Shimmy]

If you are replacing the track bar bushings, there shouldn't be a reason to remove the lower track bar bolt. check out a few youtube DIYers and that should give you the info you need to replace the bushings.

 

[ebbronco]

Sorry. I’m not being clear. The problem is not with the arm end that is mounted to the axle. The problem is high where the arm end sits in a mount attached to the frame. That end is held in place with a bolt and nut. I can’t drop the track arm until I push the bolt out of the mount. That bolt won’t move.

 

[ebbronco]

No big deal. I bought the bushings from Toms. I’ll give them a call Monday. Thanks, y’all.

 

[Shimmy]

Sorry. I’m not being clear. The problem is not with the arm end that is mounted to the axle. The problem is high where the arm end sits in a mount attached to the frame. That end is held in place with a bolt and nut. I can’t drop the track arm until I push the bolt out of the mount. That bolt won’t move.

oh got it now! try spraying some pb blaster in there and let it sit for a while. i'm thinking it's seized in the sleeve of the track bar bushing, so it'll spin but won't come out since the sleeve is a bigger diameter than the mount hole.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Upper bolt through the frame. Nut off and spins, won't come out. Pretty common. The bolt is rusted to the metal sleeve in the bushing. Bushing being toast won't hold the sleeve.
Best way around it, cut it out. You will need a new bolt. But careful and selective cutting to not damage the track bar or the frame mount, but go ahead and trash the bushing, sleeve, and bolt. Saw blades, cut off wheels, all fair game.

Same thing also happens on lower shock bushings and leaf spring bushings. First time I had this issue was on lower shock bolts. Was a fun drive to the store for new bolts without shocks. Back when I only had one form of transportation.

 

[rjrobin2002]

I would cut the head and nut off with a quality 4.5" cutting disk on your grinder.

Most death wobble is from worn track bar bolts and the track bar bolt hole is worn and egg shaped and most people don't notice.

So get your new bolt and test fit it to make sure it fits the hole perfect. If the hole is egg shaped you need to weld it up and re drill it.

 

[ebbronco]

Thanks everybody. Very helpful info all the way around. I’m on it.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I would cut the head and nut off with a quality 4.5" cutting disk on your grinder.

Most death wobble is from worn track bar bolts and the track bar bolt hole is worn and egg shaped and most people don't notice.

So get your new bolt and test fit it to make sure it fits the hole perfect. If the hole is egg shaped you need to weld it up and re drill it.

The trouble with that is the bolt stuck in the sleeve is still larger than the bracket on the frame. It still won't come out. you have to make a cut inside the bracket so it is narrower than the frame bracket.

 

[Rustytruck]

If the hole is oversize in the bracket you may have to weld up the hole or weld on weld washers on each side of the bracket. make sure you use a grade 8 bolt and some anti sieze to help you next time.