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Changing Control Arms = Headache, Am Stuck! Need help

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by maximusdec, May 26, 2017.

  1. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    So I decided to change my lower control arms today. Thought it would be a 3-4 hour job. Well, I wasted my whole day disassembling and assembling it back without changing.

    This is one of the major problems I ran into:
    [​IMG]

    How does one get that bolt out without taking the engine out?
     
  2. hchu1

    hchu1 Active Member

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    In the center of your picture is, I believe, the lower motor mount. I am just guessing, but if you unbolt it you might be able to jack up the frame just enough to get the bolt clear for extraction. Someone will be along to correct me if I am wrong. Hoping your weekend gets better.
     
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Yes jack up motor.

    Go to toyotatechinfo and rent 3 days subscription and u will have full access to factory service manual. Get printer ready and print out rr on LCA.
     
  4. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    Did just that. Makes no mention of this issue. It says the procedure is the same for both left and right side. I didn't have this issue with the left side. It even states the removal of the axle and front exhaust pipes...Wth, not necessary. So am guessing either my engine has dropped down for some reason...can anyone check to see if the bolt is blocked on their cars?
     

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    #4 maximusdec, May 26, 2017
    Last edited: May 26, 2017
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  5. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Oh yeah you have to remove the sub suspension system which is what holds the lca on.
    The mount you bolt the lca too.
     
  6. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    Wow you are right...
    Step 17. DISCONNECT FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER SUBASSEMBLY

    This has to be just shitty engineering. Just too much to change a control arm. I might have to leave it the way it is.
     
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  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    It's a huge amount of work.
     
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I was wondering what motivated you to want to replace the control arms; and what is the odometer reading?
     
  9. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    FWIW ....just a thought.

    Can you cut the bolt in half and remove.
    Then with the new bolt insert it with the bolt head on the opposite side?

    For example some Harley motorcycles have this rear axle issue where you can't remove the bolt without removing the exhaust pipe. So one switches the bolt head from right to left.

    Let us know.

    Good luck.
     
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  10. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    Yes, way more than I am willing to put in. I might try unscrewing one of the bolts on that side to see if it can lower it enough.

    209K...the bushings are shot and loose. No banging sound though. Just thought I changed them since I changed the struts and other things.

    No, don't think so. The other side is enclosed and not open.
     
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. Is it possible to unbolt an engine mount to jack up the engine one inch for clearance?
    2. Or, loosen the bolts on the suspension crossmember assy?
    3. Seems a shame not to complete the job...good luck.
     
  12. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    Ya am pretty sore from my attempt the other day. Will try to give it another try by lifting the engine once i recover. If you know which mount i need to unscrew to move it up, pls let me know
     
  13. Prius Jas

    Prius Jas Junior Member

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    If there is I'd like to know about it also. First vehicle I did started with the l/h side and was laughing at the estimated repair time then got to the r/h side......

    Tried jacking engine and lowering k frame just enough to get bolt out, even with the center engine mount removed and round bar between floor and engine on hoist just could not get enough clearance for bolt head.
     
  14. Texas Hybrid Batteries

    Texas Hybrid Batteries Senior Member

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    Hey guys, I know everybody is talking about jacking the engine up but when I replaced my LCAs I just removed the lower engine mount/dampener and swung the engine forward enough to get the bolt out and it worked fine.

    Even with the bolts out it's a pain getting the control arm out with the wheel hub and struts in the way. In the end dropping the crossmember would have been less of a hassle.

    Good luck,

    Matt
     
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  15. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    Which mount is the one you removed?
     
  16. maximusdec

    maximusdec Member

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    What did you end up doing? Left it without changing? What was the estimate?
     
  17. hotelprisoner

    hotelprisoner Member

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    Did this same job once on a 2000 Corolla - looks to be about the same procedure. The passenger side (North America) came out easy. For the drivers side - Beware: the bolts that hold the cross member on go into nuts that are welded or spot welded to the frame pieces and are complete inaccessible. If those weld nuts are corroded, they can and did snap off the frame. The fix for this is not pretty.
     
  18. Greasemonkey

    Greasemonkey New Member

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    Just did mine the other day passenger side. Jack the engine up and remove the 2 subframe bolts you will notice the hole in the control arm thats to get to the one subframe bolt. It will drop down a bit may have to pry bar a little on the sub frame to get the bolt to pass this does work. Wondering thow has any one had the nut break on the subframe how would you fix that mess. A nut welded to inside a frame with no access never a good idea.
     
  19. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Lucas suck if your doing them in your driveway, have not seen too many LCAs replaced on the g2 though.
    The lower bj is bolted in.
    Why did you replace yours were they clunking real bad?
     
  20. prius_deep

    prius_deep Member

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    are you talking about mount in the center of OP pic? you removed it completely? next time video :)