1998 cirrus lower control arms

Question

The ball joint failed on our 1998 Chrysler Cirrus Lxi with the V6 engine. The control arm has to be replaced.

I have the Haynes and Chilton manuals for basic directions on how to do the job. The control arms are the triangular type with the two attachment points to the frame. The frame bolt toward the rear of the car is giving me trouble. There is a nut on the bolt, and the nut is on top, in a recessed cavity. Even after spraying with breakfree, the bolt is very tight. I managed to get an 18 MM open end wrench on it, and got it mostly off - the nut is at the top of the bolt threads. Now that it is loose, though, I can't keep the open end wrench on it to get it off the rest of the way.

Quesions: 1. What would a pro do in this kind of situation? Cut and replace the bolt? 2. Is there a tool or method that would make it easier to remove this nut? (Took me two hours to get it this far!) 3. Any other suggestions on this problem or this job?

Thanks!!!

Answer

Hi Dec, I am surprised that is an 18 mm nut head; I would have expected 17 or 19. Do you have access to any box end wrenches or a socket that you can put on the nut? Can you raise the nut by pounding the bolt head and thus get a better grip on the nut? Large vice-grips available? Sorry I can't be of more help, but maybe one of these idea will help. Sorry of the delay but I just found your question in the "pool" to which Kevin referred it. Please 'rate' my answer (see below). Thanks, Roland