1997 Ford Explorer - Left had side Control Arm

[Maree74]

Hi, well I'm stuck now. How did Ford design their control arms with non-replaceable ball joints and a control arm with one bolt that has no way of being removed!???

I have removed one of the Control Arm securing bolts and the ball joint. (There is only the ball joint and two upper cam adjuster bolts). The rear cam adjuster bolt is the one giving me a problem. There is just no way I can see of removing this bolt. I have had it most of the way out but the chassis is too close to fully remove the bolt. The bolt has to be removed completely in order to get the control arm out. I have a new control arm just ready to go in...

Any of you experts come across this or know of a way to get this bolt out?
Thanks for reading

 

[Turdle]

The cams must be slid down the botls just right to twist and remove. It's doable, can't really explain well with text though.

Some folks lose patience, cut em out, and replace them backwards for ease. This makes alignment more difficult.

 

[swshawaii]

The UCA "bolt from hell". Remove plastic hard line clips first then lot's of finesse and patience.

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[Maree74]

The cams must be slid down the botls just right to twist and remove. It's doable, can't really explain well with text though.

Some folks lose patience, cut em out, and replace them backwards for ease. This makes alignment more difficult.

OK, sounds good. I'll give it a go when the rain stops! The cams looked pretty tight when I was trying to remove the bolts but I'll give it another go.
Thanks

 

[410Fortune]

After you do this a few dozen times you get really good at them. The bolt will come out you just have to get the correct positioning of the control arm and release the Evap hose from its plastic clip

 

[Maree74]

After you do this a few dozen times you get really good at them. The bolt will come out you just have to get the correct positioning of the control arm and release the Evap hose from its plastic clip

Yeah, this is my first time... I have two tubes that are in the way, I've bent them a bit but still couldn't manage. I have to use the Explorer now for a couple of weeks, I'll have another try when I can afford to have It incapacitated!
I mean, it's a small job but for this bolt .

 

[Turdle]

Ohhhh! If the bolts have been loosened your alignment is out! Tires will be unhappy

 

[Maree74]

Ohhhh! If the bolts have been loosened your alignment is out! Tires will be unhappy

I was wondering if I'd put it to the garage after I'd done the job and get the wheel alignment done.

 

[XLTrunner]

I discovered that after sliding that stubborn bolt out as far as you can, shoving the control arm inward (may need some persuasion from a mallet), the bolt will have enough clearance to maneuver it the rest of the way out. This was after I removed the retaining clips for the hard lines. Have used this method several times.

 

[Turdle]

I was wondering if I'd put it to the garage after I'd done the job and get the wheel alignment done.

Yes, it definitely will need an alignment. I'm concerned about driving it now as your tires will wear out quickly. Since you've already fought the bolt from hell, your alignment is out. I'd fix this before driving anywhere, then once fixed drive directly to alignment shop.

 

[FijiBill]

If you get replacement adjustable eccentric cam bolts, you can cut the nonadjustable original out with a hacksaw. The adjustable ones are easier to sneak in there since they aren't one piece and will help fine tune your alignment.