Warning - Broken control arm bolt!

[shepd]

Just did mine. They were so seized in there my 1/2" breaker bar was useless as it just kept bending (didn't stay bent but all my energy was going into a spring). Bought a 3/4" socket (no metric that small, but fortunately it's basically identical to 19mm) for my 36 inch 3/4" breaker bar. That did the job GREAT although I had to back the bolts out most of the way with the breaker bar as they never loosened enough for a ratchet until the very end. I did this with one corner of the car jacked up very high. Total labour (for me) about 2 hours (due to having to back them out with the big-ass breaker bar).

If I were to do this again, I'd simply do it with the car on the ground as those bolts are easy to reach without any need for additional clearance. Would take just as long but way more comfy. Or, if I were a shop, I'd put the car on a lift, get the bolts loose with the breaker bar, and finish them up with an impact wrench.

It was about time to do it as well, look at what doesn't get a recall in Toyota land:



Guess I will be doing this every couple of years so long as I own the car. Fortunately the replacement bolts are only $17 total here in Canada (odd to find something at the dealer that didn't require me to get a second job to pay for it).

Front end clunk never disappeared after fixing it, though. Guess I have something else to fix... Ball joints and tie rods seem fine. :(

[tmontague]

Originally Posted by shepd

Front end clunk never disappeared after fixing it, though. Guess I have something else to fix... Ball joints and tie rods seem fine. :(

Check your sway bar end links, bushings and control arm bushings. I'm having the same issue on my Echo and i'm gooing to change the bushings next. I'll let you know if it fixes it. The struts, inner and outer tie rods, engine mounts are all new and the strut bearings were both regreased.