HELP Sway bar end link bolt frozen and stripped

[buckeye4runner08]

I installed the daystar 2.5/1.5 today, and the upper end link nut on the drivers side is frozen. I got it to break loose, then it started spinning in the ball joint. So I got out the hex set and proceeded to try and break it loose with the hex and wrench combo. Well, the SOB is ON There and the hex bolt stripped out. This wouldn't be an immediate problem if I hadn't managed to get it loose, but it is just loose enough to have play, and I can neither loosen or tighten it.

My question, what are my options? Im not clever enough to figure out how to fix this. I'm going to Firestone tomorrow to get my alignment and I plan on having them look at it, but wanted to get y'alls opinion as well. Thanks guys.

 

[Blacklabs]

See if you can pop the link off the ball and then you can put visegrips on the ball to get it off then replace the link. Worked for me in the past.

 

[Civiceg94]

Get a cutting disc and cut them off. Wear some safety glasses while doing it.

 

[EdmundGTP]

the answer is air tools...

or at a minimum get yourself a GOOD battery powered impact gun.


I don't know how people even bother dicking around with hand tools for auto suspension jobs.

 

[ecally]

I suffered through this. Cut it off. After going through that once I soak them really well with penetrating oil and if they feel like they are going to strip I heat them. Has worked for me since.

If you don't have a cutoff disc sometimes there is room for a shorter reciprocating saw blade.

 

[Slowgoat]

Cut it off.


Then grunt like Tim from Home Improvement when you get it off!

 

[Highspdd]

Get you a nut splitter.

 

[buckeye4runner08]

So did you guys cut it off on the bolt side or the ball side? I assume it will be ok to drive on for a bit because I won't be able to get the parts and do it until the end of the week. And I looked on partznet and it seems that you can only buy both joints at once, is that correct?

 

[geurillawarfare]

So did you guys cut it off on the bolt side or the ball side? I assume it will be ok to drive on for a bit because I won't be able to get the parts and do it until the end of the week. And I looked on partznet and it seems that you can only buy both joints at once, is that correct?

You might wallow out the hole just a little bit if you drive it like that, but should be minimal as long as you're not driving on super bumpy roads. The link looks like a dog bone with a joint at either end of it. You should be able to buy links individually (i.e. just one for left or right). Note that they are different on right and left in the front, so make sure you get the right one. Rears are the same on both sides.