Sway Bar Bushing Bolts Being Buttholes

[brianhuntRVA]

I need to replace my sway bar bushings. Problem is the bracket bolts don't want to come out. I've PB Blastered them. They break loose and reluctantly move a couple turns then they stop turning. It feels like if I push any harder then the bolt will shear off. Any tips?

 

[Slowgoat]

I need to replace my sway bar bushings. Problem is the bracket bolts don't want to come out. I've PB Blastered them. They break loose and reluctantly move a couple turns then they stop turning. It feels like if I push any harder then the bolt will shear off. Any tips?

Mine were a B!#$&!

The ends of my bolts were rusted (up inside the frame). Like a dummy, I snapped one off (I was tired!).

I got the ones I was patient with by basically working off the rust by turning them back and forth.

I backed them out until they got stuck, making sure not to forcing the bolt. Then I tightened it up like a 1/4 turn. Then I backed them out again, with steady force a bit more. In, then out a 1/4 turn at a time, cranking the crap out of them over and over again. It took some time, and I was pretty worn out after getting them out.

Good luck!

 

[MidwestT4R]

Take your time and DON'T force it. My buddy and I were changing my front struts and we were experiencing the same issue as you. But on my side I was slowly working it back and forth and hitting it with PB blaster. My buddy thought it would be a good idea to use an impact wrench on his side of my truck. I, of course, let him and the nut welded in the inside of the frame snapped loose.

I had to take the truck to a mechanic friend of mind who used a torch to cut a window into the frame and re-weld a new nut in place. He then welded a patch over it and painted it over. All this just to get the bolt out so I could replace the bushings like you.

Just go slow and when it gets tough to turn lube it up and tighten it back up a few turns. Then start loosening it again. It should come out.

 

[Slowgoat]

Take your time and DON'T force it. My buddy and I were changing my front struts and we were experiencing the same issue as you. But on my side I was slowly working it back and forth and hitting it with PB blaster. My buddy thought it would be a good idea to use an impact wrench on his side of my truck. I, of course, let him and the nut welded in the inside of the frame snapped loose.

I had to take the truck to a mechanic friend of mind who used a torch to cut a window into the frame and re-weld a new nut in place. He then welded a patch over it and painted it over. All this just to get the bolt out so I could replace the bushings like you.

Just go slow and when it gets tough to turn lube it up and tighten it back up a few turns. Then start loosening it again. It should come out.

I forgot that part. It seems obvious, but PB Blaster the crap out of em!!!!
Love that stuff.

:tea:

 

[brianhuntRVA]

Thanks for the replies. I was doing the PB blaster and working back and forth but it seemed to get to a point of no more progress. I'll keep on working at them.

 

[collierunner]

I had this issues. I had to drill out one.

The others I removed by taking an old flat wood bit and wedging with a hammer between the frame and the bracket.

I was then able to easily back-out the other 3 bolts. I'm sure there is something better than a wood bit, but its what I had and it worked.

 

[brianhuntRVA]

I had this issues. I had to drill out one.

The others I removed by taking an old flat wood bit and wedging with a hammer between the frame and the bracket.

I was then able to easily back-out the other 3 bolts. I'm sure there is something better than a wood bit, but its what I had and it worked.

So was wedging the wood bit to put downward pressure on the bracket and bolt to aid in removing the bolt? Did you constantly wedge it in as you loosened the bolt?

 

[collierunner]

Yea the bit applied downward pressure to the bolt after a few turns the bolt continued to extract. Hope it works for you.

PS I replaced the bushings with energy suspension ones. I'll more than likely replace with the moog poly bushings that used the factory bracket. The bracket that was supplied with the energy ones are kinda weak. I can always add a zerk fitting to the factory brackets and moog poly bushing.

 

[brianhuntRVA]

Ok thanks, I'll give it a shot. I actually ordered the simple factory replacement Moogs like 3 months ago. Just never got to mess with it until last weekend.