front sway bar link removal

[schnell944]

I am replacing my old sway bar links and can't for the life of me figure out how to remove the smaller bar that passes through the sway bar and hold the links. The nut on one end screws off allowing 2 of the links to come off, but the 13mm nut on the other side seems to be part of the bar, not allowing it to be removed from the sway bar, as it is sandwiched between two links. Can someone explain how to get this off to get at the bottom two rubber links? Thanks

Ryan

[winstontj]

Honestly if you have new hardware just cut it. There's a long bolt that passes through a tube. Take a look at the setup on realoem dot com. If you have the spare hardware and that is your intention to replace. Do one side at a time and cut them off. They rust up and the bottom threads get bent and chewed up pretty badly. You're going to need a saw, cutting torch and the "BLUE WRENCH" to get them out. Watch out too because they can be under load and you don't want to get hurt.

HTH,

TJW

[scottt]

That is actually a bolt that passes through a steel sleeve, I'm sure the sleeve is siezed onto the bolt. Maybe some heat, or cut it off and replace.

This picture shows what goes into each link.

[PatAllen]

be warned about bav auto sway bar link kit for 02...mine were having the bolt 1 inch too short, after talking with the guy over there, they told me they have put the wrong one into most of the kit...just make sure with them.

Pat Allen

[brad_c-ville_VA]

or you can go with an energy suspension end link kit. i got mine from autozone, part # 9.8125R. They require a touch of grinding on the washers to make them fit in the control arm, but the bushings are urethane and the bolts are much more substantial...and they are $20/pair. i just took along the stock bolts and sleeve and measured/compared them to the new ones. they work great.

www.energysuspension.com

[schnell944]

thanks all.

Ryan