Upper Control Arm Bolt Issues

Trying to take off my stock upper control arm to replace with new SPC uppers, but the driver's side UCA bolt has no more room to be removed. Getting held up by what looks like metal brake lines. It's a 2006 DC 2WD.

Has anyone else run into the issue? Passenger side was a breeze but I'm pulling my hair out about this bolt.

 

You'll have to remove the bracket holding the brake lines, and then carefully push them towards the engine bay to make room for the bolt to slide out.

I've installed 2 sets of SPCs total. One set on my truck, and one set on @jpink's truck. Mine was an Access Cab, and his is a 2005 Double Cab. Both were about the same.

 

We had that problem on @jImmegart truck. It was a seriously stubborn one to get out. We kept wiggling it until eventually it came out. Getting it back in was just as much fun. Stay at it, its shitty but it will come out. Angle it away from the brake line. We considered unbolting the brake lines but they didn't even move.

On my truck it had easy clearance which I found interesting.

 

Alright thanks for the replies. I was hoping for some secret step I was missing but I'll keep at it.

 

Fun fact, that plastic bracket that holds those brake lines will be brittle after 15 years and will snap as soon as you try to remove it.

 

Guess I got lucky. I just unbolted it and gently held them outta the way. Didn't have much issues with putting the bolt in or taking out

 

The part I found interesting is @jImmegart truck and mine are practically the same. Both 2wd 03, even the same color. Mine had a lot of clearance and his was like this.

 

i had to remove my bracket to do mine.


still better than the tacoma and having to BEND THE BODY out of the way.

 

Ya it is strange. yours seems to be the odd one out.

 

I'll take it

 

Mine came right out too. This was part of why we joked that John's DC stood for Double Complex because everything seemed more difficult.

 

I feel like I remember it maybe touching as it came out but definitely didnt have to fight them on my 01 either

 

When I did mine I just pulled the front of the upper arm out from the engine which made the rear of the arm angle in and then in turn made the bolt head angle out…if that makes sense. Still had to unbolt the lines like everyone else and took a while but got it out eventually.

 

Mission accomplished. Had to be more aggressive with those brake lines and like someone said the plastic bracket snapped immediately.

Side note, these are "Mevotech" upper arms from Rock Auto but the branding, part numbers and instructions are all SPC. Even came with the grease-able ball joint version which was a plus.

 

Good to hear they updated to the grease-able ones. In the past the Mevo versions had the non-zerk ball joints.

Good job!