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So the sway bar Link on my driver side completely broke off the ball joint at the bottom end.
I have purchased new links and plan to replace both however when I got under to try, the hex bolt is stripped and I'm not able to apply counter tension so take the bolt off!
Any ideas how I can remove it? I've attached some pics.
1. Vice grips and penetrating oil
2. Heat the part with a propane torch and then try the vice grips
Ah! Of course! Vice grips! Now if I can find mine, hahah.
The torch is going to be my last resort as I don't have alot of clearance but I do have penetrating oil that I sprayed on to get the old one off strut so I think I'll have a really good chance with a pair of vice grips.
I have had similar problems in the past with that type of scenario. What has worked in the past for me is a nut breaker. Simply cut the nut by breaking it open and the thread part can then be removed without heat or liquid wrench. Good luck, i will try to send photos of the tool I'm referring to .
My Ride: 2010 535xiT Touring, N54, Individual Audio
Model Year: 2010
Engine: N54 3.0L Twin Turbo
You'll notice a bit more body roll than usual, but there should not be any damage or issues as long as one side of the sway bar is correctly attached to the suspension (so the bar doesn't drop and hit the tension struts).
You'll notice a bit more body roll than usual, but there should not be any damage or issues as long as one side of the sway bar is correctly attached to the suspension (so the bar doesn't drop and hit the tension struts).
Hmmmm so if I would take the 2nd one off, you're saying the sway bar should move freely?
Because in that case, in could technically move the sway bar down to make the new ones fit since they are longer.
Edit: my ride doesn't have dynamic drive.
Last edited by Valhalla519; 10-02-2020 at 07:34 AM.
So I started a return with rock auto and they have been great. However, I got a reply for the rep and they said they have sold these to hundreds of people with the same car I have and none of them have mentioned they new ones don't fit...
I'm thinking it's how I had my car jacked, I had it jacked from the driver side and not in the middle so im thinking maybe it's because the weight was so much more on the other side that the sway bar moved up and therefore it's why it's making the new pieces seem longer...
Could this be a thing? I'll be jacking the car up with the mid point tomorrow morning to try it again but just wanted to know if anyone had any input.
Absolutely. If you only had one wheel jacked up then there was a significant amount of tension in that sway bar. Lift up the whole axle and it should be easy to do.