Can't remove passenger side UCA bolt - please help!

I am trying to install new upper control arms on my 2005 access cab. I can't get the long pivot bolt out on the passenger side because there is sheet metal DIRECTLY in the middle of the head of the bolt when trying to remove it. It seems too substantial to bend and there are things mounted on the backside of it.

I searched this topic a bunch...

How have people done this before on an access cab? I can't for the life of me figure it out. Sawzall? Ugh.

 

Post up a pic. I just did this and didn’t encounter what you’re saying.

 

Can you post a picture? I put UCA's on my 05 DC and did not have this problem. Is the bolt in backwards somehow? It should push out towards the cab.

 

I just saw a YouTube on this yesterday. The guy grabbed a pair of channel locks and Brent the metal seam out of the way. He said it was no problem.

 

yeah it pushes toward the engine... toyota must have done it that way when they installed the new frame

 

was that with a tundra or a tacoma? i've seen it with tacomas but they dont have a whole lot of metal that needs to bend. this is kind of substantial and also has rigid lines of some sort mounted to the backside. the idea of bending it a ton seems scary, but i'll look into it.

 

You know what? it was a Tacoma (I'm fairly certain) now that you mention it. What other options do you have? It seems like none....

 

Yeah that is in the wrong way. After looking at mine, im not sure you could even get it out if you were able to bend that sheet metal.

 

well thanks a ton for having a look at yours! i guess i'll have to wait until i can get my hands on a new bolt. thanks everyone for the feedback.

 

Yeah that's the wrong direction. Gonna have to cut it and replace it.

 

Take it back to the dealership who did the frame swap and have them fix their mistake.

 

This^^^^^^

 

i absolutely would had i been the owner of the vehicle at the time. it was my fathers and i acquired the vehicle right after it got replaced. and right after he died. so unfortunately he can't make much of a case (ha).

i might just try asking though.

 

so i sent my dealership the picture above and the photo below from the service manual showing the bolt goes in from the back. he said he didn't see a problem but i could bring it in and his guys would swap it back around or he'd give me a new $35 bolt.

so, my options are to drive it with one new control arm to the dealer and maybe have them install it, when theyre available to do so, or just cut it with a sawzall blade. probably will do the latter as i can't see how driving with two mismatched control arms could be a good thing...

 

Yeah, sawzall would’ve been my decision from the get go. That’s my vote.

 

yeah shouldn't take too much work with one of the diablo blades i still have lying around. just happy i dont have to pay 35 bucks for the bolt!