REAR SWAY BAR ON STEPDOWN

402Bowtie

I removed the one end of sway bar attached to the rear end. I am trying to remove the other end attached to frame. My problem is the bolt spins in the sway bar and bracket but the bolt won't come out. It's like it has worn a groove or notch and won't slide out. Used a big hammer and no luck, any suggestions?

If I ever get the rear sway bar out, does someone make the bushings that go in rear sway bar? Thanks in advance for your help!!

J Spencer

Kinda tough to advise on methods to get the bar off, like a lot of stuff just keep trying. It's possible the rubber has vulcanized itself to the bolt as there is no inner metal sleeve to rust to the bolt. The sway bar bushing are available from Rock Auto.com. I bought 2 recently, now I have to put them in. Part # BN7A, $9.30 each. Made by Metro rubber but they want more direct from them.

A thought just came to me,I assume you have the nut off and the bar won't come off the bolt. If you have a 'pickle fork for front end work maybe you could get that between the bar and bracket and use it to try and pry it off??? Just a thought, I have used this method more than once to separate things

Jim Spencer
WNY/Onatrio HET chapter

402Bowtie

Thanks Jim, I will give the fork a try. The nut is off and the bolt spins freely, but it won't spin out or hammer out. I thought about using a sawsall (reciprocating saw) and cutting the bolt between the bushing and the bracket. It seems like the bolt is hung up on the bracket. Thanks for the Rock Auto info. We'll get that on order!

402Bowtie

So Ken you're thinking the sleeve and bolt are siezed or rusted together and the sleeve and bolt are spinning in there together? That all makes I will try your suggestion and see if I can get the sleeve to free up from bolt. Thank you.

J Spencer

Ken, you must be right about the sleeve, most every bushing I have worked on is like that. My mind was thinking of last year when I took the rear sway bar off John's wrecked Commodore and it came right off with no sleeve. I didn't really look at the bolts to see if the sleeves were there.. I kinda recall thinking at the time that it was odd that no inner sleeve was there.
I have to do mine soon so sure will know then. Thanks

Jim Spencer

Richard E.

Yes Ken & Jim, thank you for the info. I ordered a set from KGap but they never came, so I will go to Rock Auto.

duncan

My friend showed me a trick. Heat the part that you want loosened and then place a candle over the part for a few seconds I saw him do it several times and it worked. Believe it or not.
Ray

402Bowtie

I have the axle sitting on stands with the springs off, so the sway bar is just hanging on the one end to the frame. This weekend I will heat it up and free it up like you suggest Ken. Thanks for your help, and to all who make this restoration process easier!!

[Deleted User]

Ray , Is the idea of the candle to let wax melt and run down into the problem item to lubricate it ?
Roger

duncan

That is exactly what the idea is. That process worked like a charme. I was working on a 49
F d pickup some were counter sunk screws. I was very impressed with the way it worked.
I wish I knew about the trick when I first started on our Hudson. Ray

dougson

I had to burn the whole +&*%$ bushing out, literally. Note how it comes apart, reinstalling is a bit tricky.