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15 Tacoma; Best tool to cut off UCA bolt?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by httuner, May 23, 2022.

  1. May 23, 2022 at 10:21 AM
    #1
    httuner

    httuner [OP] Well-Known Member

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    AFe Rebel Catback Exhaust, AFe GT Momentum Air Intake, Method Wheels, Bilstein 5100, Rigid 30" SR2 Light Bar, Rigid 10" SR Light Bar. Lots of Love
    I'm in the process of doing UCA on my truck; what can I use to cut off the top UCA bolt? I'm not wanting to bend any of the inner wheel well to get the bolt past it. I would really have to bend too much out of the way, possibly making it worst than it needs to be.

    Got new bolts, new nuts; now what to cut it with? I'm thinking of a angle grinder with a cutting wheel but it seems I may not have room to really get to it.

    What have you use? and what works best?
     
  2. May 23, 2022 at 10:27 AM
    #2
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    Sawzall with metal blade. There's no real room to get the head off with an angle grinder.

    A Dremel cut off wheel would work as well.

    If you do resort to bending, I use heavy tape to protect the paint and bend as needed, no marring.
     
    wi_taco and Key-Rei like this.
  3. May 23, 2022 at 10:31 AM
    #3
    joeyv141

    joeyv141 Well-Known Member

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    I used a recip saw, no issues at all.
    I do wish I had thought of drilling a small hole near the end of the new bolts so I could put a cotter pin through the bolt after I installed it, I have no worry about the nut getting loose but a cotter pin to make sure the nut doesn't back off would be nice extra security.
     
  4. May 23, 2022 at 10:51 AM
    #4
    httuner

    httuner [OP] Well-Known Member

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    AFe Rebel Catback Exhaust, AFe GT Momentum Air Intake, Method Wheels, Bilstein 5100, Rigid 30" SR2 Light Bar, Rigid 10" SR Light Bar. Lots of Love
    I bought 2 extra nuts that I’m going to use to lock the main nut in place; hopefully that’ll discourage it coming loose.

    I’m thinking of a reciprocating saw too; but an a small angle grinder may work also? Thank you.

    152FD343-CADF-47D4-9184-477BF021D0B4.jpg
     
  5. May 23, 2022 at 11:46 AM
    #5
    joeyv141

    joeyv141 Well-Known Member

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    Second nut would also work. I dont know if a grinder like that will fit in there.
     
  6. May 23, 2022 at 7:26 PM
    #6
    CadCamMan

    CadCamMan Well-Known Member

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    TRD SC, suspension
    I used a Dremel with a Dremel grinding wheel to cut off the head on my passenger side bolt. Not a lot of room to work with, but would cut as far as I could go, rotate the bolt and repeat.
     
  7. May 23, 2022 at 10:51 PM
    #7
    wi_taco

    wi_taco My skid plates give rocks taco flavored kisses

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    I just cut off mine yesterday. Sawzall with a Diablo 9" carbide blade (like $10 from Home Depot) made short work of it. Watch out for the power steering hose on the passenger side.
     
  8. May 24, 2022 at 11:53 AM
    #8
    gotoman1969

    gotoman1969 Well-Known Member

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    Seriously it’s not that hard to get out. It’s not like you have to move the metal a foot.
     
  9. May 24, 2022 at 12:02 PM
    #9
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    Sawzall and Diablo "Demon" Blades...cuz then you have all the stuff to cut off your LCA bolts when they inevitably seize.
     
    wi_taco likes this.
  10. May 24, 2022 at 9:59 PM
    #10
    httuner

    httuner [OP] Well-Known Member

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    AFe Rebel Catback Exhaust, AFe GT Momentum Air Intake, Method Wheels, Bilstein 5100, Rigid 30" SR2 Light Bar, Rigid 10" SR Light Bar. Lots of Love
    On mine I've looked at it; would require serious bending. Easier to cut and be done with it. I bought a sawzall and will tackle it this saturday.
     

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