FR Sway Bar Bushings Walkthrough...please.

[trulli3300]

I have almost 200K on my 4runner. There is knocking under the car when I hit bumps...not the struts, shocks,linkage, or balljoints. I narrowed it down to the front sway bar bushings. They're all torn up by now. I can't get enough leverage to undo bolts which are on top...If you've done one you would know. And if you had done one you would know, can you tell me? How did you get them undone? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Elton H]

impact gun will rattle them right off also a little pb blaster to soak the bolts will help

 

[TheDurk]

Despite lots of PB blaster I snapped the stud off one of my brackets and had to replace it ($12.75 at the stealer plus $0.89 for each bolt and nut). Ten years of NJ salt is to blame. The other three nuts I got with a standard socket (3/8" drive). The 1/4" drive fit but wouldn't turn. It did help after I got them started--more angle on each turn. The 1/2" drive was too long to fit.

Getting an impact wrench on some of those, especially the right front one, must be pretty tricky.

 

[p nut]

I don't know how you can fit an impact gun up there.

Soak in PB blaster for at least a night. If they're still being stubborn, soak it every night for a few days and see if that works. On mine, I took either a 3/8 ratchet or box wrench, then hit it with a mallet to break it free.

 

[trulli3300]

How would you fit an impact wrench up there??? I tried my ratcheting impact but it does not have enough torque once i got the socket on to the bolt. What kind of idiot designed this fitting? Its even worse than the rear shock upper mounts! I mean, how would a mechanic do it? I'll keep soaking in PB Blaster i guess. I really think this should be one of the easy things to do on this car. Do you think heat would help? a torch maybe?

 

[97-4xFunner]

How would you fit an impact wrench up there??? I tried my ratcheting impact but it does not have enough torque once i got the socket on to the bolt. What kind of idiot designed this fitting? Its even worse than the rear shock upper mounts! I mean, how would a mechanic do it? I'll keep soaking in PB Blaster i guess. I really think this should be one of the easy things to do on this car. Do you think heat would help? a torch maybe?

I think the same thought ever time I come across a diff task on a vehicle repair. I guess you can't have easy access to everything. Having to service something every 200k prob doesn't require such.