Cut or Bend...Removing UCA Bolt

I have read the two different and both fantastic write ups on the replacement of the UCAs and the UCA bolt by NickLam and Silver06TRD.

I know some have cut the bolt and purchased a new one from toyota and others have bent their wheel well just enough to get the bolt through. I will be replacing my UCAs this weekend.

Want to get an idea from people that have done one or the other.

Easier to:

A. CUT?
B. BEND?

 

if im understanding you correctly, i bent.

 

Bend. I've seen cut tried and think a little paint damage is totally worth it.

 

Cut was rather simple and fast.....

Of course you need to add the time to go to the dealer to get the new bolts.

 

Bend. It's really not that bad. I used a hole saw on my radiator support and slid the bolt straight out the front.

 

Did you need to cut or drill anything or really simply just bend?

Thanks

 

my trucks a first gen and i have most stuff ripped off the front end so im not sure for your case.
but i just pulled and kicked and it was easy for me at least.

 

Bend, it was easy. New bolts $12 each.

 

I have done both actually. My experience- cutting was easier and quicker, used a sawzall with a nice metal blade. If you cut on the passanger side it literally takes 2 minutes to remove the UCA and have the new bolt ready to go in. On the drivers side you will still have to move stuff either way if you cut or not. I think i paid $12 a bolt, was it worth it? To me yes, i did the install without any help and basic tools so wherever i could make it easier for myself it was worth it.

 

I bent and put the bolts back in the same way, wasn't that hard but did take a couple of hours.

 

I bent my wheel wells a little to get mine out and i put them back in the same way too the first time. To make the install easier ground down the washer side to one of the 6 sides of the bolt head. The second i had to remove them the flat side I had made made it way easier to remove. Even my first time removing them I got them out really quickly, just unbolt the bracket that holds the brake line if you put them in from the back instead of the front.

I reinstalled mine the factory way to help cut down on rust buildup on the threads from road salt. Then coated them with black farm equipment paint.

 

I used a crow bar.
Tap it out until it stops just beyond the pinch weld you bent with the
big channel lock pliers.
I used a 4 inch bolt as a pusher.
Then lift it a bit to put a washer under the bolt head collar .Then keep tapping out.
To reinstall reverse procedure.
I did remove the battery and tray .YOU WILL LOOSE YOUR RADIO PRESETS !
Watch for the lines in the way .Go slow.

 

X2

I bent , but not because I'm too cheap to spend $24 on new bolts but because it wasn't to bad to do

 

X3

 

Bend

 

Thanks all I am so tempted to cut with sawsall and new blade for speed sake but leaning toward the bend.

appreciate the feedback.

 

Bend bend bend!

I cut one and still had trouble getting it out. Then on the other side I bent the metal with some pliers and had the bolt out in 2 mins.

 

Whatever you do , put them back in backwards

 

got it.. Never understand why they do things a certain way during manufacturing.

 

B