Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

Rear end links/sway bar

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by dvanbramer88 » Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:49 pm

Tried to disco Josh's rear sway bar today. The bolt just spins in the bushing when you try to loosen the nut on the end link. Apparently this is very common and most just cut the end links.

My Questions: Do you prefer a sawzall or grinder with cut off wheel? (Torch isn't an option)

Where do you cut the end link?

Is there anything i should try first before cutting? I loaded them up with WD-40 today, but the bolts did spin fairly easy. I'm afraid to heat them in fear of burning the bushing up. Any tricks?
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by Gordinho80 » Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:15 am

Cut off wheel... Cut it as close to nut as possible.

Does he want replacement links? I've got a set of moogs.
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by plaen » Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:16 am

dvanbramer88 wrote:Tried to disco Josh's rear sway bar today. The bolt just spins in the bushing when you try to loosen the nut on the end link. Apparently this is very common and most just cut the end links.

My Questions: Do you prefer a sawzall or grinder with cut off wheel? (Torch isn't an option)

Where do you cut the end link?

Is there anything i should try first before cutting? I loaded them up with WD-40 today, but the bolts did spin fairly easy. I'm afraid to heat them in fear of burning the bushing up. Any tricks?



If they're oems, there should be an allen key hole on the end of the bolt. I cut mine off since I couldn't get enough torque on the tiny allen key I had. Used a cut off wheel on mine, really difficult to get into the space between the link itself and the bracket it bolts to.
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by v7guy » Tue Jun 26, 2012 5:30 am

You can also use a crowbar. Just wedge it in there, and have your buddy loosen it. an impact makes it easier but I've done it without.

or you could just leave it disconnected.
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by dvanbramer88 » Tue Jun 26, 2012 9:16 am

plaen wrote:If they're oems, there should be an allen key hole on the end of the bolt. I cut mine off since I couldn't get enough torque on the tiny allen key I had. Used a cut off wheel on mine, really difficult to get into the space between the link itself and the bracket it bolts to.


I did not see an allen key hole, but than again i wasn't really looking for one. We're getting together tomorrow to work on it again. I'll look.

v7guy wrote:You can also use a crowbar. Just wedge it in there, and have your buddy loosen it. an impact makes it easier but I've done it without.

or you could just leave it disconnected.


Where do you force the crowbar? I'm guessing into the small space between the bushing and sway bar? And the goal is to create enough friction so you can hold the bolt from spinning? And i do have an impact, i will try that tomorrow. We were planning on leaving it disconnected.





Anyone ever weld a nut to the back of the bolt in case there is no allen key?
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by Gordinho80 » Tue Jun 26, 2012 9:51 am

Most aftermarket links have a nut on the link side of the bolt, instead of the allen key hole.

Here are my moogs, for reference...
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by Trail X » Tue Jun 26, 2012 1:41 pm

A potential solution if the Allen key strips on a stock link, is to drill into the ball and socket from the side, and insert a pin.
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