help with these bolts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cobrajet21 · 10-02-2008, 10:23 AM

how do you install these bolts that hold the upper control arms that adjust camber. I thought I could just hammer them in but they don't want to go. Thought I had better stop and get some advice before I tore something up.

sneakysnake · 10-02-2008, 10:33 AM

If you dont have room to drive them in with a hammer you can use a spacer(washers, piece of pipe,large nuts)and as you tighten them down it will suck them into the frame hole.

68shortstep · 10-02-2008, 11:31 AM

Might try putting the bolts in the freezer for a while before you try to pull them into place.

Cold causes "shrinkage," as per a famous Seinfeld episode.

nvrsatisfied · 10-02-2008, 11:38 AM

get a bigger hammer

71tahoe · 10-02-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneakysnake

If you dont have room to drive them in with a hammer you can use a spacer(washers, piece of pipe,large nuts)and as you tighten them down it will suck them into the frame hole.

I would also recommend lubricating the threads.

70rs/ss · 10-02-2008, 03:56 PM

Freeze the bolt and heat the hole with a propane torch, then smack them in with a BFH, if you use the nut to pull it through you can damage the threads, and or stretch the bolt, neither of which is good.

cobrajet21 · 10-02-2008, 08:49 PM

thanks for the info, I did get 2 of them in with a ball joint clamp that I used to press them in with. That worked good until the clamp bent. Back to harbor freight to exchange it on friday and try to get the other 2 in.

sandking · 10-02-2008, 09:09 PM

Since you are going back to Harbor Freight, buy a small shop press. That would do the trick.

dwcsr · 10-03-2008, 12:12 AM

They should press in fairly easy. Yours look like wheel studs not caster bolts. The stock bolt looks like below.

**truckdude239** · 10-03-2008, 07:01 AM

thats what i was thinking

dwcsr · 10-03-2008, 01:17 PM

I'd be afraid the small head on that silverstud may pull through after a while

cobrajet21 · 10-03-2008, 06:22 PM

I ordered these from LMC and this is what they sent me. I knew they looked different but so has everything else I've gotten from them. Where can you get the bolts that are original looking?

70rs/ss · 10-03-2008, 06:28 PM

From a donor truck!? Maybe GM since those bolts were pretty common on just about every car or truck GM built?

dwcsr · 10-03-2008, 07:42 PM

here we go. http://www.classicparts.com/prodinfo...372&variation=

cparman · 10-03-2008, 08:56 PM

I am with sneakysnake. If you set them in place and stack washers on them and then the nut, you can pull them into place. We do this alot to pull a lug stud into an axle at my shop.

Highsteel · 10-03-2008, 09:28 PM

I find this to be very sound advice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs/ss

Freeze the bolt and heat the hole with a propane torch, then smack them in with a BFH, if you use the nut to pull it through you can damage the threads, and or stretch the bolt, neither of which is good.

You can use both methods if you use one to assist the other. Snug up a nut on some washers and smack the head with the hammer. I would be careful not to use more torque than is specified for this application. This way you put less stress on the threads and decrease the chances of 'mushrooming' the other end with your hammer.

I would also compare the striations carefully to make sure they are the same as the old bolt.

splatrd · 10-06-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobrajet21

thanks for the info, I did get 2 of them in with a ball joint clamp that I used to press them in with. That worked good until the clamp bent. Back to harbor freight to exchange it on friday and try to get the other 2 in.

Don't waste your time with Harbor Frieght. Everthing they carry is total pile of Chinese knock off piece of #^@%%$#. Most things won't even survive one use let alone multiple uses. Do yourself a favor and buy decent tools that will last or borrow what you only need once. Check some autoparts stores that offer free loaner tools too.

hdflstf · 10-06-2008, 02:34 PM

To shrink them, go get some dry ice and let them chill on that. -109 deg F versus about 0 for your freezer. Just be sure to wear gloves when handling them..

dwcsr · 10-06-2008, 02:44 PM

If you have the correct bolts,, shrinking, freezing, BFHing and pressing doesn't have to be done. The washer trick is all thats needed to draw them through.

He has wheel stud bolts with a coarse spline trying to go int a fine spline. Thats why he's having issues

10-02-2008, 10:23 AM	#1
cobrajet21 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Danville, VA Posts: 122	help with these bolts how do you install these bolts that hold the upper control arms that adjust camber. I thought I could just hammer them in but they don't want to go. Thought I had better stop and get some advice before I tore something up. Attached Images

10-02-2008, 10:33 AM	#2
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: help with these bolts If you dont have room to drive them in with a hammer you can use a spacer(washers, piece of pipe,large nuts)and as you tighten them down it will suck them into the frame hole.

10-02-2008, 11:31 AM	#3
68shortstep Looks good at 20-ft ..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mtn Home, AR Posts: 707	Re: help with these bolts Might try putting the bolts in the freezer for a while before you try to pull them into place. Cold causes "shrinkage," as per a famous Seinfeld episode.

10-02-2008, 11:38 AM	#4
nvrsatisfied Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 457	Re: help with these bolts get a bigger hammer __________________ Lug Nuts Classic Rides. (Bodywork, small fab, and Restorations) Perry, Ok. We're just two guys, trying our best. 72 cheyenne super https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=811512 55 chevy truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=840174

10-02-2008, 03:56 PM	#6
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: help with these bolts Freeze the bolt and heat the hole with a propane torch, then smack them in with a BFH, if you use the nut to pull it through you can damage the threads, and or stretch the bolt, neither of which is good.

10-02-2008, 08:49 PM	#7
cobrajet21 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Danville, VA Posts: 122	Re: help with these bolts thanks for the info, I did get 2 of them in with a ball joint clamp that I used to press them in with. That worked good until the clamp bent. Back to harbor freight to exchange it on friday and try to get the other 2 in.

10-02-2008, 09:09 PM	#8
sandking .....I am working on it..... Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anaheim Hills, Ca Posts: 960	Re: help with these bolts Since you are going back to Harbor Freight, buy a small shop press. That would do the trick. __________________ . . . . . View my build thread HERE

10-03-2008, 12:12 AM	#9
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,134	Re: help with these bolts They should press in fairly easy. Yours look like wheel studs not caster bolts. The stock bolt looks like below. Attached Images

10-03-2008, 07:01 AM	#10
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: help with these bolts thats what i was thinking __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

10-03-2008, 01:17 PM	#11
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,134	Re: help with these bolts I'd be afraid the small head on that silverstud may pull through after a while

10-03-2008, 06:22 PM	#12
cobrajet21 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Danville, VA Posts: 122	Re: help with these bolts I ordered these from LMC and this is what they sent me. I knew they looked different but so has everything else I've gotten from them. Where can you get the bolts that are original looking?

10-03-2008, 06:28 PM	#13
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: help with these bolts From a donor truck!? Maybe GM since those bolts were pretty common on just about every car or truck GM built?

10-03-2008, 07:42 PM	#14
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,134	Re: help with these bolts here we go. http://www.classicparts.com/prodinfo...372&variation=

10-03-2008, 08:56 PM	#15
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: help with these bolts I am with sneakysnake. If you set them in place and stack washers on them and then the nut, you can pull them into place. We do this alot to pull a lug stud into an axle at my shop. Last edited by cparman; 10-03-2008 at 08:56 PM. Reason: spelling

10-06-2008, 02:34 PM	#18
hdflstf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Desert Southwest Posts: 540	Re: help with these bolts To shrink them, go get some dry ice and let them chill on that. -109 deg F versus about 0 for your freezer. Just be sure to wear gloves when handling them..



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10-06-2008, 02:44 PM	#19
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,134	Re: help with these bolts If you have the correct bolts,, shrinking, freezing, BFHing and pressing doesn't have to be done. The washer trick is all thats needed to draw them through. He has wheel stud bolts with a coarse spline trying to go int a fine spline. Thats why he's having issues

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