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Hi there it's actually a truck and I'm having trouble rem...


Hi there it's actually a truck and I'm having trouble removing the torsion bar key and torsion bar from the lower control arm Mechanic's Assistant: Is the key stripped or worn? Know the issue is the key is on top of the c...

Hi there it's actually a truck and I'm having trouble removing the torsion bar key and torsion bar from the lower control arm Mechanic's Assistant: Is the key stripped or worn? Know the issue is the key is on top of the crossmember and once I lose pressure on the bolt the key turn with the bolt Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car? 2004 Dodge Dakota SLT four by four Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Dakota yourself? What have you tried so far? Just about everything besides giving it a good torch because it's right beside the fuel tank and Vapor canister xcetera Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you? I pretty much have everything apart from the lower control arm and I also have that torsion unloading tool what's just doesn't seem to do much for me LOL

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Automotive Expert
Hello and thank you for using JustAnswer. My name is \*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\* I will do my best to assist you. During this conversation you will be given an automated offer for a phone call. You may accept or decline that offer.I don’t personally offer this service so if you take this another tech may call. I’m sorry that you’re having trouble with your vehicle. I will do my best to help you resolve them. Please understand that I do not know your knowledge or capabilities so I may need to ask questions to find out basic information to help solve your specific problem. My aim is to give you the best service possible and to help you. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Sometimes it may take a moment for me to respond because I may have to look up information about your concern, so please allow up to 10 minutes for a reply. I appreciate your patience and will provide responses as soon as possible. Is the vehicle off the ground? are you able to install the tool and relief the tension off the bar?

it's off the ground and safety Jax, the tension is off the bar which raises the main issue because the nut that the bolt go through is resting in the crossmember and it needs tension or else it begins to rotate as I'm loosening it. That's the other odd thing, I can tighten the bolt back up but once I loosen it to certain point then it becomes more difficult to rotate.

Customer attachment 10/27/2020 4:48:11 AM
Automotive Expert
the threads could be worn a bit, you will need to heat the bolt let it cool down and lube the bolt, I like a product called kroil oil its the best for stuff like this, as for the top moving you will need to hold that with pliers and use a impact to get the bolt out once everything is heated and lubricated.

Ok, I'll try that tomorrow when I can make some noise. I'll need to remove or protect some of the evap system hoses and parts, but that's easy enough.Someone told me that ATF and acetone was excellent for this stuff too. I've tried numerous penetrative oils and wire brushing the threads too. Getting a grip on the nut is no easy task and I'm using a 5ft extension on my 2ft breaker bar to turn the bolt as far as I have gotten it. ����‍♂️ It's just ridiculous.
Automotive Expert
yes thats basically what kroil oil is, if you have that on hand you can def use that it world great, in some cases the bolt will need to be torched out and replaced, the threads just get to far gone from the tension of the bar. Its not a very good design thats for sure

I agree ��Thanks for the information and advice, wish me luck.
Automotive Expert
Your very welcome and good luck!

Hey I got it out! Thanks for the advice. 4 vice grips, 2 big clamps 1 x pitman arm, 1 x 0.5" steel rod..

Customer attachment 10/28/2020 3:12:02 AM
Automotive Expert
Wow that looks like it was a pain, im glad everything worked out well!

Hey! Me again, just trying to get the torsion bar out of the lower control arm now. So I've got me some Kroil oil and so far seems alright. Heated it up really well and let it cool off then I hit it with the Kroil. Twice. Say, how much do you usually pay for the aerosol can of Kroil? Gave up for today but I'm probably going to hit it with my demolition hammer tomorrow morning and wake the neighbours! See if I can get it loose. Haha!

Also, my mom drives a KIA Sorento and everytime they do the oil change it comes back way over the full mark. Would this be their way of making more profits from the problems it will cause? What can I do about it?
Automotive Expert
Yeah that kroil oil is expensive, I pay around 18 per can , you may need a air hammer to pop it out if the socket once everything is loose and for the other question you will have to open a new question for that.

You must be an American citizen because where I am the only source I could reasonably get a can was roughly 70 bux, delivered from a town 20 min from me!I'll give it the old college try and see what i can muster up. I gotta get the control arms back on and go for an alignment Pronto, so I can get back to work!
Automotive Expert
Yes we are based in the us here

Impossible. Going to have to cut the control arm off and install a brand new one. We are subject to a lot more rust up here, after 16 years of wet and salty winters they've become one. No matter what I do I can't get it to budge. Spent all day with hammers, air jacks, pullers/removers, finally used 30lb jackhammer and the dammed thing still wouldn't push out of the torsion anchor key and the lower control arm. Ruthless. Who would have thought a control arm would be a good week long job?
Automotive Expert
I do know the power of rust and sometimes that does have to happen when rust gets that bad.

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