Please help. Front suspension issue.

Hello,

thanks for reading. Sorry if my post is wrong or breaks any rules, I’m new to the forums.

just bought a used 2001 tundra. When changing the cv axel, I read the wrong website and over torqued one of the four bolts that attach the front lower ball joint to the knuckle arm. The bolt snapped. Then when trying to use a bolt remover, the bolt remover snapped. I’m looking for options. I will try a you pull it yard to see if I can find a replacement knuckle arm but it seems like the local you pull it only had a 2000 and 2006 tundra. I think the knuckle arm changed in 03 or 04 so it seems like there is only one option and they didn’t know if it was a 4x4. I don’t have the money for a new arm and I’m not a mechanic, I don’t have a press to push the wheel barring into the knuckle arm. My grandpa recommended using three bolts and finding a welder to tack weld the fourth corner. Is that a horrible ideal? This is not my daily driver, we just wanted a truck to occasionally move stuff around so it’s rarely driven.

I would appreciate any advice. I don’t know much about cars or mechanics.

 

Only suggestion I have is drilling it out completely if it is the bolt that has a hole that goes all the way through to the other side and using a bolt and nut instead. There is a thread specifically about these bolts and why you should replace OEM with new every time they are removed. May want to consider new hardware once you get that other bolt out. 59ft/lbs

Thread on these bolts... Link

ARP hardware (multi use) part number 663-1004
OEM part (single use but cheaper) 90080-10066

 

Thanks for replying. Unfortunately it’s the outer bolt that does not go all the way through.

 

Hopefully you'll get some better suggestions in the later hours of the day. Good luck

 

If the knuckle is cast iron, welding wont help much.

is that a pic of the extractor? Doesnt look like a pilot hole has been drilled in it.

I've always had luck with the straight flute extractors, but a pilot hole, some penetrating oil, and maybe heat would be your friend.


and dont try to put the extractor in a drill, turn it with a wrench, so you can sneak up on the torque.

 

So if overtorque snapped it, the threads aren't siezed/rusted.

You could try a left hand drill bit set and/or extractor.

If there is enough sticking out, you could unbolt the other 3 bolts and grab it with some good pliers to spin it out.

Alternatively, if only a slight bit is sticking out, you could weld a nut onto it to spin it out. This would work if you have both a welder and the skills.

Last option is taking the whole knuckle off and bringing it to a machine shop.

 

Thanks so much for the advice. I ended up taking the whole knuckle arm off, once it was off I was able to get the old parts out. Almost all back together now. Having a hell of a time getting the abs sensor to reseat completely. Been reading all the differing opinions about the axel nut torque. Seems like 173 for the first gen, but two mechanics have now told me to just “snug it up” so I’m doubting myself.

 

Impact Screwdriver with a Flat Edge Screwdriver slit dremeled into the bolt? Might get it turning, if it is jammed in there.. Then the bolt removed could finish the job.

 

You may need to clean/sand the abs hole lightly to make it slide back in smoothly.

 

thats actually how I got them out.