UCA bolt washer won't move. Suggestions? 2018 Tundra.

What's up Tundra crew,

Alright, replaced my upper control arm ball joints this past weekend. Removal, install, etc. went fine. Got it done in a day on Saturday. I'll quickly rant and say Toyota did not make it easy to get those dang UCA-to-frame bolts out/in...

Anyways, I realized yesterday that I missed one of the washers that sits in-between the frame and the arm on the driver side (f**k me right lol). So yesterday, I tried to pull the arm again and now the washer sitting in-between the arm and nut literally wont slide off. It slid off totally fine the first time but now, it spins with the bolt and prevents me from removing the bolt. This is on the driver-rear side of the arm. My guess is the washer is stuck on a thread?

I can fit a flat head in-between bushing and washer to pry, that didn't do anything (and pretty sure I am gouging the bushing on the arm). Even if it might help, it's too tight to get a hammer in there.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Kept me up at night last night

 

If your suspension is unloaded and the assembly is hanging free you might have the bolt in a bind. If so, place a floor jack under outer part of the control arm and see if that helps.

 

I have a jack under the LCA. The UCA pivots freely, the bolt slides side-to-side I am sure it would slide out should that washer not be there. The washer itself is preventing the bolt from sliding out as it hits the arm.

 

Oooo, okay will give it a go. I was giving it a good amount of pry on the rear, in-between the bushing and washer it wouldn't move anymore. I didn't use loctite or anything, the threads are in good shape, no corrosion or anything.

My other thought was vice gripping the washer and getting my power ratchet on the bolt side and spinning it.

 

Probably a dumb question, but have you tried pushing the control arm inward toward the engine too?

 

Just to close this thread with an update. The washer somehow got threaded on to the bolt which is why prying it didn't do anything. Ended up using a needle nose plier to grab the washer while wrenching the bolt head. Afterwards, used a metal file and cleaned up the washer and slapped it all back together. Not sure if it would've helped but wishing I had my channel locks on hand. Thank you for all the ideas guys!

If anyone has ideas as to how this happened, please share for my future knowledge!

 

Similar damage happened to me. I think the bolt loosened up enough that the washer spun instead of the bushing flexing.

Next time I'm in there, I'll be replacing the washers and bolt.