Lower Control Arm ball joint bolt seized - Toyota Yaris Forums

CrimsonEclipse · 10-27-2021, 01:04 AM

Trying to replace the lower control arms on a 2011 Yaris.

The bolt that attaches the control arm to the bearing assembly (locked with a cotter pin (which was removed)) spins without loosening. I placed a jack under the ball joint and added pressure but it wasn't enough.

Can I use a pair of vice grips through the ball joint boot and clamp down long enough to break the threads loose

Note, I am using thread oil to possible loosen up the threads

I am replacing the lower control arms because the rubber around the rear bolt is cracking and possibly failing.

ex-x-fire · 10-27-2021, 07:10 AM

They can be tough, the ball joint stud is usually held tight in the knuckle while you unthread the nut. I'd soak it for a while, if you have a torch then you can heat the nut up.

CrimsonEclipse · 10-28-2021, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex-x-fire

They can be tough, the ball joint stud is usually held tight in the knuckle while you unthread the nut. I'd soak it for a while, if you have a torch then you can heat the nut up.

Used a vice grip. Destroyed the boot in the process.

Now the forward bolt hits the engine block and can't be removed.

Oh, Toyota, you so crazy.

JustFPV · 03-23-2023, 03:51 PM

just had to cut mine off with a torch. The bolts for the lower control arms are terrible and I ended up putting new arms on with bolts for a mercedes clk230 (perfect fit/length and same thread). Its a very common issue with these bolts being a bad design from toyota so replace them asap especially with higher mileage

10-27-2021, 01:04 AM	#1
CrimsonEclipse Drives: . Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: . Posts: 88	Lower Control Arm ball joint bolt seized Trying to replace the lower control arms on a 2011 Yaris. The bolt that attaches the control arm to the bearing assembly (locked with a cotter pin (which was removed)) spins without loosening. I placed a jack under the ball joint and added pressure but it wasn't enough. Can I use a pair of vice grips through the ball joint boot and clamp down long enough to break the threads loose Note, I am using thread oil to possible loosen up the threads I am replacing the lower control arms because the rubber around the rear bolt is cracking and possibly failing.

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10-27-2021, 07:10 AM	#2
ex-x-fire Drives: 2010 yaris 3 door hatch Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Sheboygan Falls, Wi. Posts: 506	They can be tough, the ball joint stud is usually held tight in the knuckle while you unthread the nut. I'd soak it for a while, if you have a torch then you can heat the nut up.

03-23-2023, 03:51 PM	#4
JustFPV Drives: 2006 Yaris 2dr hb manual Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 7	just had to cut mine off with a torch. The bolts for the lower control arms are terrible and I ended up putting new arms on with bolts for a mercedes clk230 (perfect fit/length and same thread). Its a very common issue with these bolts being a bad design from toyota so replace them asap especially with higher mileage