Need anyone with experience completely removing front sway bar

mcaz5

mcaz5

New member
Recently I've had some squeaking noise coming from the front, so I began to investigate. Turns out my bushings are completely shot, like split apart and everything. So I decided I'd try and remove the front endlinks and place them on the rear sway bar since they are longer. I had no problem with that, but now my sway bar is just sitting there and I can't seem to figure out how to loosen up the brackets holding the sway bar down now. It looks as if there is a square nut that you can visibly see and the head of the bolt is on top( and extremely hard to get too) so any tips on how to remove these brackets? Or could i just leave the sway bar without any endlinks? I can snap pics if that would clear things up. Thanks
 
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My sway bar links are cut-off, but I've still got it bolted up. You will want to remove it, or put some links back on, as every time I hit a speed bump or pothole it moves and creaks. I crawled under there the other day and saw the same thing for mounting, it looks like the only way to remove it is by removing those bolts from the top. I've got some free time tomorrow so I may look at removing it until I can get some new links and bushings.
 
These pictures are probably crap since it was dark. I'm just having trouble getting the two brackets off that are holding the actual sway bar to the frame.
3ehare3a.jpg

yze2ujag.jpg
 
sway bar

I don't know if I can be of much help but I'm doing my sway bar bushings and installing Bilstein 5100's this weekend. Your pics don't look a whole lot different than my sway bar brackets ('96 Limited). I replaced the end link bushings with Energy Suspension Poly's a few weeks ago and ordered the greaseable ES sway bar set as well. I'll gladly let you know how it goes, but I personally don't recommend disconnecting the sway bar. Everyone has different opines on the subject but I guess it boils down to what your doing with the vehicle the majority of the time. I just purchased my truck in Feb and am slowly going through and replacing all OEM bushings and suspension with ES or Prothane Poly's before I lift it next year. Never hurts to upgrade a bit.
 
I've wondered this same thing as I've attempted my sway bar brackets a couple of times. It's tight. Some say just cut them off but that doesn't appear to be the most simple task either due to space.
 
Everyone is way over thinking this. Those brackets go over the rubber or poly bushings and come off very easily. See the 2 bolts, take them off, done.
 
How exactly do you manage to get the bolts off?? I have VERY limited room to work with. My BudBuilt reaches to the end of the sway bar and I think that's making is more difficult. As far as on road manners, there's not much of a difference in my opinion. But it takes speed bumps like a champ.
 
Here's a few more pics since its day light. I can't for the life of me break the bolt on top of the bracket (not able to be seen in this picture)
emusy8yv.jpg

7eveduna.jpg
 
You're going to need some bd plaster and perhaps a small butane torch. Let the pb blaster soak for half a day. Just need to find some kind of leverage. The passenger side is the hardest. You'll need a long extension to get the ratchet above the frame and exhaust. If I remember correctly the bolt towards the front of the truck comes off from the top and the other one the nut comes off from the bottom.
 
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Its a giant pain in the butt. I ended up cutting mine, I think I used a grinder, then a sawzall. It cut into the bracket a little, but nothing to worry about. I then replaced with regular nut and bolt, with lots of anti seize.

If you don't want to cut, use heat and penetrating oil of your choice. It will come eventually.

FWIW Those bushings were hard to find if I recall correct.
 
yukonrider said:
Its a giant pain in the butt. I ended up cutting mine, I think I used a grinder, then a sawzall. It cut into the bracket a little, but nothing to worry about. I then replaced with regular nut and bolt, with lots of anti seize.

If you don't want to cut, use heat and penetrating oil of your choice. It will come eventually.

FWIW Those bushings were hard to find if I recall correct.
Click to expand...

Where exactly did you cut? As of now, I'm just looking to completely remove the front sway bar. Those bushings are shot and they make an awful squeaking sound. Cutting will most likely be my last resort.
 
I was able to reach a tool around to the top and un screw the bolt. Maybe I just had more room in there to work with. I have a 3" lift up front and a 1" body lift and no skid plates so that might be why but I was able to remove both in about 30 minutes. I'd say soak em in pb and if you can't manage to get a tool up there try and pull out the rubber bushings and try cutting it.
 
Tucson4runner said:
I was able to reach a tool around to the top and un screw the bolt. Maybe I just had more room in there to work with. I have a 3" lift up front and a 1" body lift and no skid plates so that might be why but I was able to remove both in about 30 minutes. I'd say soak em in pb and if you can't manage to get a tool up there try and pull out the rubber bushings and try cutting it.
Click to expand...

I'll try soaking it in some PB. I was able to get a wrench on the driver side but wasn't able to get really good leverage on it. Cutting it will pretty much be my last resort.
 
mcaz5 said:
I'll try soaking it in some PB. I was able to get a wrench on the driver side but wasn't able to get really good leverage on it. Cutting it will pretty much be my last resort.
Click to expand...

heating it up with a butane torch till its red would help break it loose
 
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