has anyone changed front upper control arms (bolts likely siezed?

[Mozambique]

Hi,
My 2010 has 211k km on it.
Changed front lower LCA's a few years back. In Toronto, Canada, so the bolts were well and truly siezed. Now replacing rear LCA's (upper and lower) as clunking there. For PM figured I would do the front uppers at the same time. Bought the control arms. Now after looking at it, cutting through the bolt hiding by the shock bracket looks unfeasible.
Anyone else already done this and have any tips? I was pondering maybe having to cut through the metal body of the control arm in 2 places to remove it leaving the siezed bolts in place to gain clearance so I can then cut through them.
Sounds like a painful process
Or I may just give them a good shove and see if any play, and if none leave as-is for now (what I should have done at the offset).

 

[BBLR3]

I think the front lower bolts seize up because of the position they are in relation to the road. Looking at the uppers, I'd give them a good does of PB blaster for a week then go for it. I had watched this video a while back about it when I did my front air struts.

 

[Mozambique]

Hey thanks.
I watched the same video. He's Australian.......if living downunder ain't ever seen road salt. I have to assume mine are also siezed.

 

[scapistron]

I replaced my front uppers when I had the engine out, so that's always an option.

 

[Mozambique]

Yeah, not sure taking the engine out to replace control arms is really on the table. Spoke to my mechanic and he said in similar situations they cut the control arm into pieces to improve access to the bolts

 

[Nelson Toussaint]

Recently changed right upper control arm. Very difficult to remove bolts, but after a lot of Blaster and muscle, was able to get them to break free. Extracting the bolts was much more difficult than removing nuts. No easy way with rust. I made up a special puller that started backing the bolts out.

 

[GunsAndRovers]

If you can get the nut off, use an air hammer to push out the bolt. (after a healthy amount of PB blaster)

 

[Mozambique]

If you can get the nut off, use an air hammer to push out the bolt. (after a healthy amount of PB blaster)

Have you actually done this with success?

 

[GunsAndRovers]

With other bolts, yes. Sometimes there is either rust or weight tension keeping the bolt from spinning out.