Hi ive got a 97 3.8 v6 and im currently trying to upgrade the bushes to polyurethane type.
My problem is i cant seem to remove the vertical bolt that holds the arm on.
Is there something holding it or will it just be seized in???

Ive looked all around and cant find any clips etc holding it and ive been bashing away at it with a large hammer and it hasnt budged at all.
Ive also tried a jack under it to see if it would push it out but all that did was lift the whole car.

Any ideas or help appreciated.
Thanks

 

nope the bolt is just a bolt with some thread locker. If it is bent it will be really hard to remove.

This bushing is not a good candidate for poly. This bushing works on binding as the arm moves up and down if you use poly here it will cause the body of the car to take more stress than it was designed to and will eventually fail under that stress.

Massey

 

I had the same exact problem. The bolt is seized inside the bushing sleeve There is no threads in the sleeve. I had to cut it out to remove it with an angle grinder. I also tried jacking on the bolt and nothing. Pics:

 

Don't do it, do some searches on LS1Tech on the subject -- most places poly is a poor choice, esp. spots that require articulation. (Sways are one of the better ones it seems).

 

I have the tubular ones with the delrin rod end as the vertical and poly on the horizontal.

 

There are very few places on this car where you benifit from using poly. Your best bet is to stick with rubber or use the delrin ball sockets like Socom mentioned above. The biggest problem is alot of this suspension relies on the bushings binding to do their job and Poly does not bind like rubber so you get more stress on the body which will actually ruin the car.

Massey

 

Ok thankyou for the help and info. Ive managed to free the bolt after another half hour with a large mallet. Its totaly corroded. Just a quick question though if i may. If the poly bushes are that destructive to the car why are they all included?? (honest question not sarcastic) Ive bought the book Camaro and Firebird Performance and it does say to use rubber on the vertical bush, which i will anyway after your advice, but that poly is ok on the others to tighten up the ride and handling. Will they actualy break the car or will it just be a little more harsh to drive?? Thanks guys.

 

THey are there because people will buy them that dont know better. They will be both harsh to drive and they will also break the car. In places where the suspension does not bind as part of the way it functions you can use poly.

Massey