Hey All;
I tried to get the lifetime alignment today from the local Firestone, but they couldn't get the lower control arm bolts loose to do so. They said that thay are frozen in place. Do they get siezed/rusted inside the bushings? The FSM shows them torqued to 166ft.lbs, maybe the Tech didn't have his breakfast this morning? Does anyone have a tip or suggestion to get them loose? I figured that I'd get them loose, and then go back for the lifetime alignment....

 

I had the same problem once. The alignment shop said mine were seized.
I sprayed them with PB blaster then the next day used a long extension bar with a 3 ft. cheater bar and they broke loose.

 

Blue tip wrench....(Torch)

or else a really long pipe....

Either way, new bushings and new bolts.

 

PB blaster works wonders. spray some on, let it sit for about an hour, spray some more on and let it sit over night. in the morning it shouldn't be that hard, but you might wanna get some form of a breaker bar just in case.

 

pb blaster and a torch... i used to work @ a shop that did alingments, and that is what i would do on the alignments i did when they were siezed....

 

Thanks for replies...! PB Blaster it is, i should buy stock in that company, i use alot of it! My BF breaker is a craftsman 1/2" drive breaker bar, slid inside half of my floor jack handle (removed from the jack of course ) i'm just gonna need to the get front end up high enough to get my breaker rig under there! Removing the front tires should help give me some room. Those bolts are pretty hefty, has anyone ever broken one, while trying to get it loose?

 

My alignment shop had the same problem, I used PB Blaster on them and drove the truck for a few weeks, then finally got around to trying them and they came right out.

 

mt.goat- thanks! now that's encouraging. I've been soaking them down good with PB every night for now, i think i'll have a chance to have a go at them towards the end of the week....i drive the Toyota every day usually, so between the soaking and the driving, perhaps i'll have similar luck like you had...

 

After I got mine out I cleaned them up good with a wire wheel and coated them good with anti-seize.

 

Hope the PB works, otherwise the bolt is rusted to the sleeve and cutting is the only way... just went through it on a PA 4Runner...