Removing upper control arms without removing headers?

[rp0029]

I'm expecting Mark's Stage II plus kit (SC&C) for my 68 Camaro
any day now, so I decided to remove the upper A arms to get ready to put the SPC adjustable ones on. The passenger side control arm wasn't that bad, naturally, it wouldn't come off because of the headers but I whacked the front bolt a few (dozen) times with a hammer and it came off. I was able to maneuver it off with the one bolt out.



The driver's side is much more difficult. There is an alternator and immovable power steering hose in the way.




As you can see I got the nuts off:


However there is a bunch of crap in the way!




That damn power steering hose took me like an hour to get just perfect. I really don't want to uninstall it. I swear I'll cut the bolts with bolt cutters or take a hacksaw to the control arm before I'll remove the headers and power steering hose. Anyone got any tricks or ideas?

[TitoJones]

Just pop the bolts out of the frame that hold the UCA on. They are knurled so they won't spin when you tighten them. Use a crow bar, or punch if you can get one in there.

Tyler

[badazz81z28]

If youre using the SC&C arms that are threaded adjustable, I would just put a socket on the head and twist the knurls off.

[rp0029]

Just pop the bolts out of the frame that hold the UCA on. They are knurled so they won't spin when you tighten them. Use a crow bar, or punch if you can get one in there.

Tyler

That's the problem. I can't get anything in there to pry the bolts out. I don't want to have to remove the power steering pump or the headers.

[rp0029]

If youre using the SC&C arms that are threaded adjustable, I would just put a socket on the head and twist the knurls off.

Tried it several times. Still to hard to twist out. I'll try more next time I work on the car.

[UMI Tech]

Did you pop the upper ball joint apart yet? If so, do you have enough room to flip the a-arm up high enough to get a socket on there?

[TheBandit]

Remove the belt & alternator, remove the bolts holding the PS pump and lower it with hoses still attached to gain access. Why are you so afraid of removing the headers?

[onair]

I made an L bracket for our slide hammer. I thread the nut out to the end of the bolt and hook the L bracket over the end of the bolt and knock it out. Usually isn't to difficult.