Easy Pinch Bolt Removal - NO HEAT (Mercedes)

I had struggled to remove the RUSTED SEIZED PINCH BOLT on my lower control arm for my Mercedes Vito until I found this tool! Check out how I finally cracked it so I could change the dust boot for the ball joint to pass my MOT.
Tools for this job*: www.amazon.co....
Here's my Amazon page to check out the products I use*:
www.amazon.co....
*As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
About me:
I'm Aiden and I'm documenting what was supposed to be my barn conversion, which has now ended up being a new build. I don't have a trade, I just have a go and I'll be doing lots of work myself. This is the boring bit in grand designs that you don't get to see. Subscribe and follow along to find out how our future home turns out.
Instagram: www.instagram....
contact email: [e-mail]

[@larrystafford5887]

Great video for all of us DIY mechanics, just done mine on my Nissan Leaf (slight ball joint play on MOT) but decided to replace the whole lower suspension arm, I used a fork type splitter on the ball joint, was a real pain releasing the ball joint from the pinch bolt on the hub but got there in the end, cheers for taking the time to do the video man. 👍😄

[@normanboyes4983]

You got it done - that’s the main thing.😀👍

[@enriqueemilio8990]

Top man! I've just seen your video early this week, got all the parts and press tool this weekend and today I've done the replacement of the lower control arm for my Fiesta! That pinch bolt came out smoothly! Thanks for sharing!

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

Awesome 👍

[@timbo742]

Great video as always. Not interested in cars , it doesn't matter what the content we love your vlogs 👍

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

Haha I didn't expect the house DIY regulars to watch this, but thought I'd upload it as it might help someone out in the future

[@janh6639]

Blimey I wish I lived close to you be a free pair of hands to learn. My van just failed same issue plus that pesky steering gaitor 😢 not to mention my leaking flat roof 🙈🙈keep at it doing great 👍🏼

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

I learnt from doing, plus CZcams 😉 I'm sure you can too 👍

[@berniesr]

Good on you for giving it a go.

[@101projects2]

You can buy the lower ball joint separately to the lower arm, there are 3 rivets you grind off remove the old ball joint fit new and it'll come with 3 nuts and bolts to replace the original rivets you cut off, just for future reference if ever you need to replace them.

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

That might have to be the plan as I'm pretty sure the bolts will be seized in the bushings and there's no way that clamp will fit in there

[@davesterl]

Glad it helped

[@paulmarshall8012]

i'm no mechanic but like watching Rainman Ray's Repairs on youtube

[@s.wilson5675]

Nice job Aiden. I'm guessing you're keeping the rats company by working in the dark.

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

This was from back in December so I'm sure the rats were probably eyeing up my van as I worked on it 🙈

[@AmazonBuyer]

Great vid, mate. I've exactly the same issue with my NV200 and ordered that ball joint press. Did you have any issues getting the press receiver end to sit around the bolt head without slipping off? Any tips?

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

Not at all, once you line it up it stays in place. I'd say just make sure you get some penetration oil on the day before and throughout. A ball joint separator would have been handy after I got the pinch bolt out so it's worth getting one of them as well as the press g clamp one

[@Mircea007]

My experience with replacing that same joint: you need proper tools, have the same Ryobi and it doesn't have enough power. Called a friend with a top money Milwaukee and took the bolt out in no time by unthreading the bolt not the nut.

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

😅🤣 I'm glad I didn't have to get a new bolt 😬

[@christianwithers7335]

Quality job. Did you ever compare the Tech Fast nails going wood to metal and then metal to wood?

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

The thread isn't coarse enough to hold wood, the heavy duty ones are like a machine screw. The light duty ones might hold 🤷 I never tested them

[@christianwithers7335]

Thanks, I'll use them one day 😋

[@user-mj1tl7lb1l]

I’m sure you checked but are the pinch bolts also stretch bolts?

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

Not this one, Liam the mercedes tech sent me over the relevant pages in the manual, it doesn't say it should be replaced

[@cammerz]

Where can I get the c clamp removal tool?

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

Link in the description (Amazon)

[@Swwils]

Get some proper KROIL, makes these way easier.

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

Oooh I'll have to grab some 👍

[@maxv77]

Do you like working in the dark

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

Haha well it was winter 🥶 one day i'll have myself a nice warm illuminated garage 😁