[cedusett]

Ok I'm trying to install my eibach springs as we speak. I've already got the car up on stands, and the wheels are off.

The problem I'm having is with the front sway bar. I can't seem to remove the bolt for the end link to save my freakin life. This thing must be torqued to all ****. I've almost completely stripped the bolt on the drivers side and it's not budging even a little bit. I've sprayed it down with WD40, and I'm at a loss for ideas.

Maybe I'm a complete idiot and I'm missing something, so here's a pic of the bolt I'm trying to get off. It's right on the other side of the sway bar (black) and the red arrow is pointing right at it. If ANYONE has any idea what I'm doing wrong, or why this bolt is being such a bitch. Please respond ASAP.

Oh yeah, and if any of you have tips on how to remove a stripped bolt that would help as well.

 

[LBSOHK]

edit

 

[dave079]

Have you tried using some kind of cheater bar or breaker bar? This can help tremendously.

 

[JTS2005]

hey PM toykilla or AIM him as he will know!!

 

[cedusett]

Belive me I've tried a breaker bar, I've tried WD40, I just chewed a few rivets into the f***ing thing with some vice grips and it is not moving.

 

[toykilla]

OPTIONS:

1. dont remove sway bar: unbolt shock/spring assembly at top and bottom. Use spring compressor to compress the shock and remove.

2. dont remove sway bar: unbolt shock/spring assembly....... Use stock jack between upper A-arm and under the wheel well (inside it) raise jack until you have enough room to remove shock..

I wouldnt touch the sway bar..

 

[cedusett]

Yeah I thought about your 1 suggestion, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to compress the spring enough to do it.

That bolt that was giving me a bitch of a time is connected to another bolt on the other end of the link, which attaches right to the strut. I removed that one instead and finally got it all done.

The rears were about 10000 times easier than the fronts, but with good instruction I think anybody could do this DIY. I took a few pictures, so I'll do a writeup in the next few days.

 

[DiRN]

Glad to hear you were able to figure it out Chuck

 

[JTS2005]

yea im glad as well that you got it all fixed!!

 

[cedusett]

Nobody's as glad as I am! Plus, I would have had to replace that stripped bolt if I ever did get it off, so now I can just pretend it's not there until some mechanic has to deal with it!

Car rides perfectly, looks great too. Only bottomed out once so far, and I can still clear the speed bumps in my parking deck at work! Woohoo!

 

[smoothz]

On the lighter side, I'm glad you're enjoying the fruits of your labor.

I know you mentioned pics, I'm just giving you a hard time.

 

[cedusett]

Yeah yeah... I actually have pics, but the before/after shots don't show much of a drop. I'm gonna wait a few days to let the springs settle before I take the total before/after pictures.

Plus, I have a few minor mods to do before I post any pics, and I gotta get my baby washed! Don't worry, all in due time!