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Sway Bar Bushings Take Two

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Dyoel182

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The front bar is moving around a little too much for my tastes so I'm thinking about doing the bushings. Years ago when I first looked at them I didn't have any wrenches or sockets that had the clearance so I never did it and I really wish I had. What is the best way to get those bolts loose with so little clearance towards the firewall and rack so I can slip the old rubber out and slip the new greased urethane in?
 
I should have mentioned I'm not interested in messing with the subframe and risking having to pull the carpet and punching the access out to tighten them back down.

I'm thinking worst case scenario I may try to slot the bolt heads and use a flathead ratchet to loosen them.
 
That's my fear but I thought I'd ask since I was going to have the wheels off to do the brakes. I hate how poorly the sway bars are designed on this car.
 
You can change the bushing w/out dropping the subframe. Get a 13mm open/closed end wrench and grind it down to half thickness on the ends. That will give you just enough clearance to loosen the bolts and get the wrench off the bolt before it contacts something (I don't recall what...been a few years since I've done mine). Not saying its easy...but it can be done.
 
captastic said:
You can change the bushing w/out dropping the subframe. Get a 13mm open/closed end wrench and grind it down to half thickness on the ends. That will give you just enough clearance to loosen the bolts and get the wrench off the bolt before it contacts something (I don't recall what...been a few years since I've done mine). Not saying its easy...but it can be done.
Click to expand...

Not my experience, to date on 3 'Tours. The rear mounting bolt is simply too long in order to remove it w/o at least loosening the rear subframe mounting bolts and backing these out maybe 1/2 way. This will in turn, will allow the clearance you need for those rear front sway bar mounting bracket bolts.
 
messing with the subframe and risking having to pull the carpet and punching the access out to tighten them back down


No matter if you loosen the subframe bolts or dont you will never have to do anything from the interior side to do the sway bars. drop the subframe and make it easy on yourself and get good parts. easy peasy do it once.
 
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