Can't get nut back on rear sway-bar bolt!!

[Michigander]

Ok... what the heck is going on. I disconnected the sway bar to see how hard it is and make sure I could do it in the future. I just tried to put them back on, but I can't get the factory nut back onto the factory bolt on the rear sway-bar. What should I do?

 

[jimbo74]

make sure that the car is unloades... this could cuase body lean and thus not allow proper alignment of the parts... or maybe you crossthreaded something on removal...

 

[leebo]

Which one did you take off?? The one on the Top of the link, or on the bottom?? Try to spray some WD40 on it and let it sit. Maybe there's some rust and such on it that causes a problem. It makes it easier if it's on level ground, but it's not a must.

 

[Michigander]

I took the bolt that connects the main anti-sway bar and the bar that goes to the frame. Now I can't even get the nut started on the end of the bolt. It is on level ground too.

Does the bolt come off of the bar that goes to the frame, or is it the same piece? I expected the bolt to slide out of the bushing, but I couldn't get it to come free.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Try putting your jack under the lower control arm and jacking up the control arm a little bit. This should allow the bolt to come up enough for you to put the nut back on. Your sway bar is like mine, one side is higher then the other. The 2 sides are not level.

 

[Michigander]

Nah... the REAR sway bar is my problem

I can get the bolt lined up and everything... the bolt is through the bushing for the main sway bar (REAR) and the bar that links it to the frame... everything is set, and I just need to put the nut on and tighten it down so that the bolt doesn't come out, but I can't even get the nut 1/4 inch onto the bolt.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Sorry, You did say the Rear Sway bar. Duh! If you cant get the nut back on the bolt, the threads might be messed up. You can use a thread cutter to go over the threads and clean them up. Try another nut and see if that helps.

 

[Michigander]

Alrighty... I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything obvious.

Does the bolt I am refering to come loose from the bushing? or is it all one piece. I couldn't get the bolt to come free.

 

[Ray Lobato]

I have never been able to take them out. I must admit that I haven't tried too terribly hard, but I figured that putting the nut back on and tightening it down alittle will keep them from coming off. Never lost one all the time I unhooked them like that. Now I have disconnects.

 

[Michigander]

This might have worked out perfect!!! I've driven about 120 miles through city, highway and have hit HUGE potholes, and the bolt is still through the bushings on both bars. I don't think I even need nuts. I've just going to leave it like this and then when I want to disconnect tham, I can just bend the bar so the bolt comes out of the bushing or the bar that goes to the frame.... sounds like the cheapest disconnect yet!