How do I get the front axle LCA bolts out?

[InvertedLogic]

Have you used a breaker bar + pipe yet, or just talked about it? With a long enough lever you can generate way more torque than with any battery powered impact....

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[982500h]

Lots of posts on how to apply more force, but only a couple on doing it smarter--relieve the binding force. If holding the bolt and the nut will not turn, then additional torque and lubricant/heat is needed. If holding nut and the bolt will not turn, very likely it's binding due to weight/pressure on it. I helped a friend remove and reinstall LCA multiple times (why? don't ask ) on his new JT, and the key each time was using floor jack to cycle suspension until arms felt loosest. Gotta think more like Al than Tim the tool man.

 

[turbosix]

Lots of posts on how to apply more force, but only a couple on doing it smarter--relieve the binding force. If holding the bolt and the nut will not turn, then additional torque and lubricant/heat is needed. If holding nut and the bolt will not turn, very likely it's binding due to weight/pressure on it. I helped a friend remove and reinstall LCA multiple times (why? don't ask ) on his new JT, and the key each time was using floor jack to cycle suspension until arms felt loosest. Gotta think more like Al than Tim the tool man.

i assure you this isn't rocket science. if a lube tech at a dealership can do it anyone can.

 

[grimmjeeper]

It's always easier to loosen the nut than the bolt if you can.

I had to remove the axle side nut on the LCA to put the FAD skid on. A little effort with a wrench broke the nut loose and I spun it right off.

One the nut is off, the bolt will spin a lot easier.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Like @jahysea mentioned…it probably has permanent threadlocker on it which should be heated to 500 deg F prior to removal if you’re having a hard time budging it.

Guess what happens to your bushings when you heat them to 500°… The lca’s don’t have thread locker from the factory. If the power tools won’t break the bolt loose, just do it the old fashioned way. Brute force and leverage.

 

[rkwfxd]

Yeah Im waiting until the new LCAs come in at this point. Then Ill try breaker bar + jack handle + jack + PB Blaster.

 

[JasonInDLH]

Guess what happens to your bushings when you heat them to 500°…

They’ll be gonzo. . Good point, sir.

 

[JasonInDLH]

Yeah Im waiting until the new LCAs come in at this point. Then Ill try breaker bar + jack handle + jack + PB Blaster.

If that doesn’t do the trick, then maybe shout some nasty words at it. That always seems to do the trick for me.

 

[rkwfxd]

If that doesn’t do the trick, then maybe shout some nasty words at it. That always seems to do the trick for me.

Im REALLY good at that.

 

[entropy]

Cute little toy that cost you way too much. I'm a tech at a Cat dealership, we've tried all of the electric impacts, Snap on, Matco, Ryobi, Dewalt, Ingersoll Rand, and Milwaukee. The Milwaukee is tops, followed by the Matco 20v then the Dewalt. The Snap on electric stuff is old technology that does not hold a candle to the modern stuff.

You guys fix/sell a lot of cats?. Ive never seen one before. What do you do there as a tech?

Last time I loosened them I jacked up the jeep and used a cheap amazon giant electric impact that I have (porter cable) Not cordless. It worked.

 

[jjvincent]

Cute little toy that cost you way too much. I'm a tech at a Cat dealership, we've tried all of the electric impacts, Snap on, Matco, Ryobi, Dewalt, Ingersoll Rand, and Milwaukee. The Milwaukee is tops, followed by the Matco 20v then the Dewalt. The Snap on electric stuff is old technology that does not hold a candle to the modern stuff.

I'll let the guys know in my shop and the two race teams I work for that they are using pieces of junk and need to throw them away then buy Milwaukee. Thanks for the advice, we all now will get the proper tools. I feel bad as I spent $300 on a piece of garbage but rest be assured, I threw it in the garbage and ordered a Milwaukee. Now I'll be able to remove and install fasteners. Up until now I never knew why I couldn't, now I know. Thanks for the help.

 

[Pinion]

Did you take the dynamic load off of the bushings? You might have to let the tires touch the ground a little to get the pressure off of the LCA's

 

[Some Random Guy]

Are you sure you’re not hammering a flag nut? I did that at first, then switched to the bolt head after realizing I was an idiot and my HF impact tore it right out.
It was a front CA, don’t remember if upper or lower.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Are you sure you’re not hammering a flag nut? I did that at first, then switched to the bolt head after realizing I was an idiot and my HF impact tore it right out.
It was a front CA, don’t remember if upper or lower.

If it was a flag nut, it wasn't a lower. The uppers are much smaller and require much less torque.

 

[word302]

More push-ups. Seriously though, jack the vehicle up and get it on jack stands. That’ll give you more room to work as well as get the load off the bolts (may have to jack a tie up to reduce the load completely). Don’t use a floor jack on a breaker bar, that’s a recipe for disaster.

Ok and my impact is team blue. Works pretty good too.

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