Replacing sway bar bushings w/o removing bracket ?

[lairdwd]

I'm going to be replacing the sway bar links on my 93 beater nissan altima. The sway bar bushings are also shot, and I figure it's an opportune time to replace them as well while the links are off.

The problem is that the bracket that holds the bushing in place is rusted out and frozen on the left side. The bolts would probably crumble if a wrench were taken to them.

Once the link is undone, can you replace the bushing without taking the bushing bracket off? I'm also open to other ideas.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[StevieC]

Break the head of the bolt off and then take out the stud part of the bolt with vice grips. Clean/re-tap the hole if necessary.

replace brackets, bolts when reassembling and cover in a good rust proofing spray to help prevent problem in future.

 

[lairdwd]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Break the head of the bolt off and then take out the stud part of the bolt with vice grips. Clean/re-tap the hole if necessary.

replace brackets, bolts when reassembling and cover in a good rust proofing spray to help prevent problem in future.


Thanks StevieC for the advice. If the car were 10 years younger, I would probably do that. ;-) But with my conservative driving habits and nice flat highway roads I travel, I don't think it's necessary for the remaining life I'm trying to get out of the car.

I'm wondering if the old bushing can be snagged out with some needle nose pliers and a new one shoved back in? Alternatively, I'm thinking I can take some strips of rubber and shove them in there myself.

 

[StevieC]

You could probably get the old ones out that way but no chance in $#!@ you are going to get the new ones in like that.

I know it's not fun but the easiest way is to do it like I said or you could try heating the bolts up and see if they crack loose.

I would knock the heads off and go about it that way...

 

[oilboy123]

I think StevieC is giving good advice. Those bushings are normally pretty tight when new. Sometimes you gotta bite the bullet.

Sometimes you can heat the bolts and spray penetrating oil and heat a few times over and over. Get they bolt/nuts real hot then shoot the spray and a lot of time it will finally break loose. Sometimes it's easier to just shear them off if the female threads are not in the frame. If it's just a bolt and nut snap them off.

 

[Boomer]

If its Nissan, I'm ghuessing you'll find bolts with very fine threads and the female threads to be integral to a structural member. My experience with Nissan bolts is that they torque off EASILY so use caution.

 

[mechtech2]

You are not going to get new bushings in from the side.
You can start soaking the bolts threads every day for a week or so. Tap on it afterwards . Then try removal.
They of course may still break, but good drill bits, extractors, vice grips, etc. can fix it. Even if you have to use a bolt/nut, instead of the factory bolt into the chassis nut.

You are not a factory that pumps these out. You don't have to do it their way. Any good fix is OK.

BTW! Don't waste your time trying to unscrew the end links! cut them off in 30 seconds with a hacksaw!