Upper control arm bolts?

hey everybody I was wondering if anybody who has removed their upper control arms has any tips for getting out those bolts. On my 4Runner you could unclip the AC line on the passenger side and slide right past. the driver side was even easier. These bolts are hitting the inner fender almost dead center. I could bend the fender lip in a little but ?
Does anybody have any tips for getting these bolts out other than just chopping them up with a sawsall but then again how do you install the new bolts ? It looks like they will hit the brake lines if I try to put them in backwards.
Thanks

 

Some people cut the bolt, then reinstall a new bolt in the opposite orientation which is far easier to do.

@Porter707 just did his this way.

 

I bought new bolts for $9 ea. before I even started my project. I read the advice of others about bending the inner fender to get the stock ones out but didn't like that idea at all. You can push the brake lines out of the way enough to get the new bolt in (they flex). I used an angle grinder to get the old bolts out but sawzall, hacksaw would work just as well.

 

Don't install them from the rear (backwards). Do it properly - from the front. You do have to bend some metal to get them out and new ones in; that's what my installer did. It is not a huge deal and can be done fairly cleanly.

 

You've gotta bend the fender a little bit to make room

 

Like others have done I cut mine bought new ones and put them in from the opposite direction. I asked the Toyota mechanic who told me it makes no difference. Just wanting to know why you think this is improper?

 

Popular fear is that if the bolt becomes loose, nothing is holding it in place except gravity.

But, a non issue, as it's no easier to remove on accident as it is on purpose, and it only comes out one way when gravity is deciding which way it is. The same way it hits your fender, and prevents the bolt from being removed.

 

What are the bolt specs? I'll be getting new Uppers soon.

 

watch this, TC does a great job walking you through it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbsTJgb6S_c

 

It's a lot harder with a 2016/2017 than a second gen truck as shown in the video.

 

maybe make a video of your own on this install for others with 3rd gens?!?

 

i bent the driver side and cut the passenger side....

 

I used an angle grinder and cut them off my truck. The bolt head doesn't slide out otherwise, as the front quarter panel is in the way. I bought some new ones off ebay... now I'm regretting that because I need new washers and nuts, but cant find anyone that will sell just those. Its odd, buying just the washers and nut from the dealer is almost as much buying the bolt with washers and nut from other on-line retailers. I did find that I can slip the new bolt in from the other angle.

 

This.

Don’t listen to me though. I’m one of the “ditches the sway bar” people. But I’ll install the bolt backwards without fear, I know what it takes to get it off, and it’s not coming off on it’s own.

 

I've done two UCA installs, one on a Gen 2 which was easy and only required a small amount of fenderwall bending, and just last week or so on a Gen 3. On my Gen 3 I cut the bolts, and installed new bolts "backwards." I did use proper torque, and threadlocker, and also make torque pen marks to see if anything loosens. I really doubt it is an issue at all.
I looked at Nissan, their UCA bolt is actually 2 bolts, and theirs are installed "backwards" meaning that if the nut comes off, the bolt could fall out. This hasn't seemed to be a problem for them, why should it be for Tacomas? Just cut off heads, and then reinstall new bolts back to front w proper torque, and thread locker, make some torque marks w a paint pen and never look back.

If you really wanted to pole vault over a mouse turd, spot weld the nut to the bolt thread, cross drill the bolt and put in safety wire or a cotter pin etc. It just doesn't seem this is real concern.

 

I found the passenger side to be a pain in the ass to bend. The driver's side was very easy. For the passenger side, I ended up taking a long rod and hammer and went at it from the engine bay. I was able to move enough metal for the bolt to slide out. Just be sure to paint it after.

 

Have cut off the OEM bolts and replaced them with OEM bolts from dealer. Put them backwards and no problems in 1 year.

 

It's not that much more difficult on the 3rd gen. Much easier to have a second set of hands reaching down through the engine bay to hold the A/C line bracket out of the way on the passenger side. Driver side is super easy. Installing the bolts in the opposite direction is incredibly stupid, especially if you really wheel your rig. I have personally seen four 3rd gens now have their UCA bolts back out because they were installed backwards and all claim they were torqued properly. A little extra time and elbow grease to do it right never left anyone busted on a trail.

 

You’ve seen 4? OK. Funny how so many third gens install them backwards and are fine. If they fell out that easy obv something wasn’t right. I had a professional mechanic who’s done tons of this stuff tell me it’s completely fine.