BMW E36 Control Arm to Sway Bar End Link - Lollipop stuck on
Discussion
I started to replace my from right control arm today and have encountered a problem.
The bolt from below the control arm which secures the lollipop sway link turns but the other end of that bolt also turns with it which means I cannot remove it
The first image shows the bracket, this has a normal bolt securing it in place [not shown in the image]
As I unbolt that bolt the circular bit spins as I try to unbolt. How can I get this out?
The bolt from below the control arm which secures the lollipop sway link turns but the other end of that bolt also turns with it which means I cannot remove it
The first image shows the bracket, this has a normal bolt securing it in place [not shown in the image]
As I unbolt that bolt the circular bit spins as I try to unbolt. How can I get this out?
Edited by Percent on Saturday 11th November 22:06
Percent said:
I started to replace my from right control arm today and have encountered a problem.
The bolt from below the control arm which secures the lollipop sway link turns but the other end of that bolt also turns with it which means I cannot remove it
The first image shows the bracket, this has a normal bolt securing it in place [not shown in the image]
As I unbolt that bolt the circular bit spins as I try to unbolt. How can I get this out?
To help understand, the bit that spins that shouldn't, looks as though there's been an attempt at a spot weld (failed!), and that's why it's spinning. Yes? (I'm asking the obvious to get to a solution, honest. The bolt from below the control arm which secures the lollipop sway link turns but the other end of that bolt also turns with it which means I cannot remove it
The first image shows the bracket, this has a normal bolt securing it in place [not shown in the image]
As I unbolt that bolt the circular bit spins as I try to unbolt. How can I get this out?
Edited by Percent on Saturday 11th November 22:06
)Is it actually a bolt, or a welded stud as shown in the pictures? If it's a bolt with a hex head you could jam a flat bladed screwdriver between the bolt head and the side of that bracket.
I'm not clear why you're trying to remove the bracket, though. If your goal is to remove the drop link, isn't it essentially free once you remove the cross bolt which you have obviously already loosened?
I'm not clear why you're trying to remove the bracket, though. If your goal is to remove the drop link, isn't it essentially free once you remove the cross bolt which you have obviously already loosened?
Thanks for the reply. I am replacing the entire control arm and also the stabiliser. Unfortunately, it seems to be some kind of welded on stud and not a bolt so I cannot do the screwdriver trick.
Maybe I could try and remove the top nut on the stabiliser then the entire control arm, once the arms off would I be able to somehow remove that stabiliser bracket from the old arm?
Maybe I could try and remove the top nut on the stabiliser then the entire control arm, once the arms off would I be able to somehow remove that stabiliser bracket from the old arm?
Not quite following which parts you are aiming to replace, but if you need to remove that bracket then there are a few options you could consider:
Tack weld the broken stud back to the bracket.
Pad saw the side off the flange that was supposed to be welded to the bracket so that you have a flat surface to wedge a screwdriver against.
Grind through the nut and stud.
Still not following why you need to do this, but if you're replacing that arm anyway then obviously you will be removing it from the vehicle. Removing the bracket would be much easier with good access. But these options would all need you to replace the bracket anyway, so still I don't see why you'd have any reason to remove the old bracket from the old arm.
Tack weld the broken stud back to the bracket.
Pad saw the side off the flange that was supposed to be welded to the bracket so that you have a flat surface to wedge a screwdriver against.
Grind through the nut and stud.
Still not following why you need to do this, but if you're replacing that arm anyway then obviously you will be removing it from the vehicle. Removing the bracket would be much easier with good access. But these options would all need you to replace the bracket anyway, so still I don't see why you'd have any reason to remove the old bracket from the old arm.
GreenV8S said:
Not quite following which parts you are aiming to replace, but if you need to remove that bracket then there are a few options you could consider:
Tack weld the broken stud back to the bracket.
Pad saw the side off the flange that was supposed to be welded to the bracket so that you have a flat surface to wedge a screwdriver against.
Grind through the nut and stud.
Still not following why you need to do this, but if you're replacing that arm anyway then obviously you will be removing it from the vehicle. Removing the bracket would be much easier with good access. But these options would all need you to replace the bracket anyway, so still I don't see why you'd have any reason to remove the old bracket from the old arm.
I was hoping to remove it only because that tiny bracket is £30 for some reason. I also don't have a welder. Tack weld the broken stud back to the bracket.
Pad saw the side off the flange that was supposed to be welded to the bracket so that you have a flat surface to wedge a screwdriver against.
Grind through the nut and stud.
Still not following why you need to do this, but if you're replacing that arm anyway then obviously you will be removing it from the vehicle. Removing the bracket would be much easier with good access. But these options would all need you to replace the bracket anyway, so still I don't see why you'd have any reason to remove the old bracket from the old arm.
Maybe I'm missing something but I still don't see why you need to remove the bracket to change the bushing.
If you are really determined to though then remove the bushing so you have access to the bolt that spins and get a pair of mole grips on the head of it. They should hold it tightly enough to remove the nut from underneath. Then take it somewhere for it to be tack welded back in place.
If you are really determined to though then remove the bushing so you have access to the bolt that spins and get a pair of mole grips on the head of it. They should hold it tightly enough to remove the nut from underneath. Then take it somewhere for it to be tack welded back in place.
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