Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

Flipping the drivers side UCA Help

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by mikekey » Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:16 pm

Anyone have any recommendations for getting the bolt that is facing the front of the vehicle out of the upper control arm. We're in the process of doing our lift finally and I thought I'd flip the UCA's. Got all the bolts out except this one, it hits inner sheet metal and from the threads, I haven't heard any of you mention this.
Once lifted 03 Trailblazer on 35's, gave it up to travel the USA with my family.
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by Cable810 » Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:22 pm

Towrds the Engine or where you sit? All I did when I flipped mine was bend the sheet metal. Check my I'm 100% Lifted thread I think I explained how I got em out.
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by Cable810 » Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:42 pm

Cause if its the one towrds the engine just take some BIG pliers or something that you can bend the sheet metal. Just bend it enough to get the bolt out.
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by The Roadie » Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:06 pm

It's been discussed. Sheet metal is bendable for a reason. :excited:

The designers goofed. Even the factory shop manual says the tech has to bend the sheet metal to replace the UCAs. The suspension designers never went back to see if everything was serviceable with the body on. If it wasn't that it didn't need much bending, the shop manual would have required us to yank the body to change the UCA. Dumb designers.

PS: It's easier with a body lift. Everything is easier with a body lift (plugs, struts, UCAs).
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by mikekey » Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:39 pm

I didn't fid it to bendable personally. I asked cause I tried that, but I just said f* it, pulled a bubba and took my cut off wheel and notched it. So I'm done. Thanks however guys.
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by Cable810 » Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:45 pm

No problem!
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by The Roadie » Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:54 pm

20" Channel locks FTW. :shoot: Or 2 ft+ pipe wrenches. Such a versatile tool, good for all sorts of death and destruction!
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by mikekey » Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:40 pm

Image

Now onto the rear lift. But first, firehouse subs.
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by Cable810 » Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:17 pm

Wow I didn't have to bend my sheet metal that much. Or Big Azz pliers work too :D
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by navigator » Sun Jun 17, 2012 12:02 am

driver side I ended up cutting with a saber saw then the blade broke. On the passenger side I bent and pounded them enough to do the swap.
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by v7guy » Sun Jun 17, 2012 1:36 am

I used a prybar and a 5lb sledge to "gently persuade" the metal out of the way.
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