[Solved] Help! Sway bar nut already rusted to bolt?

[Muckle]

I am swapping out the stock rear springs with All Dogs. It’s a simple switch but I’ve run into an issue with the sway bar link.

As you can see in the attached video, the nut seems to be rusted to the bolt and the whole bolt is turning when I try to remove the nut.

I could try to loosen it with some WD-40, but that only solves half my problem as I’ll then need to retorque it, which won’t be possible because that bolt freely spins.

Thoughts? Bring it into the dealer?

Sponsored

 

[Muckle]

Checked the other side. Same thing

 

[rijc99]

Seems like a dealer trip is in order. Hopefully they will warranty those links.

 

[izzy]

I'm not a mechanic but usually with swaybar end links you gotta stick a hex in the end of the bolt and then use an open wrench to break it free, photo from ebay for reference:

These are endlinks off a 23 but same concept on the 24+ I'm sure.

End links have to spin cause otherwise, well lol wouldn't be good

 

[rijc99]

guess they’re not rusted then. Was wondering how it could get rusted so badly so quickly.

 

[Muckle]

I'm not a mechanic but usually with swaybar end links you gotta stick a hex in the end of the bolt and then use an open wrench to break it free, photo from ebay for reference:

These are endlinks off a 23 but same concept on the 24+ I'm sure.

End links have to spin cause otherwise, well lol wouldn't be good

You sir, may not be a mechanic, but you're more of a mechanic than me Thank you!

 

[izzy]

You sir, may not be a mechanic, but you're more of a mechanic than me Thank you!

Glad to help!

Almost all endlinks are like this, it is a little confusing when you first try to get them off.

Sometimes the nut will rust to the bolt and you will actually have to cut the whole thing off cause the allen will strip. That's only on the worst rust belt car examples. It'll be hopefully 10 years before any 4G gets to that point... maybe

 

[crepr12]

Is this a joke...OP is wrenching/changing out springs and didn't know this...hmmmmnn

 

[Muckle]

Is this a joke...OP is wrenching/changing out springs and didn't know this...hmmmmnn

If I next ask where to put the blinker fluid, you'll know we're cooked.

 

[Dirt]

Is this a joke...OP is wrenching/changing out springs and didn't know this...hmmmmnn

Big part of the reason for this forum. Not all of us are born with this knowledge so now we're a little smarter - and we know the OP has a sense of humor as well.

 

[pepco]

They have rust on my pro but not on my wife's 24 Land Cruiser, why? Is this normal? Same thing with center nut on top of shocks.

 

[T4coTuesday]

@Muckle you are much smarter than me... I tried to install a simple spacer lift on my 2013 tacoma and ran into the same problem. But, instead of going to the internet to search for solutions ( i had my truck in the air with the front tires off and was just powering forward) i ended up zipping the bolts off with a zip cutter. I was on my way home from lordco with 2 new links when my dad called me and said there was a hex key hole in the end of the bolt.... Lesson learned!

 

[Muckle]

@Muckle you are much smarter than me... I tried to install a simple spacer lift on my 2013 tacoma and ran into the same problem. But, instead of going to the internet to search for solutions ( i had my truck in the air with the front tires off and was just powering forward) i ended up zipping the bolts off with a zip cutter. I was on my way home from lordco with 2 new links when my dad called me and said there was a hex key hole in the end of the bolt.... Lesson learned!

Well, I guess your approach worked too

Sponsored