Sheared rear swaybar bolts, Too late for easy out - What should I use?

mjwalfredo · 05-31-2007, 11:16 AM

Hi Guys,

During some wrenching, I needed to remove the rear swaybar from my 3rd gen 4 Runner and sheared both bolts that attach the the bar to the axle on the passenger side.

I tried to use an Easy-out like tool but I kept breaking them so I lost my cool and started drilling into the bolt studs. This was stupid especially now that I've got a new room mate who knows how to use an easy out correctly (Didn't know about this at the time)

So now my plan is to drill out both bolt studs to make a bigger hole and just use bolts/nuts/washers to attach the swaybar. Here is my problem, the tab on the axle that the sway bar is bolted to has a nut welded to it. I want to cut this off but there is maybe 1-1/2 inches of space around that nut inside the tab. Anyone have a good suggestion on what to use to cut thru the nuts? I've got access to a dremel so if there is a good attachment for it that would be awesome.

04 Rocko Taco · 05-31-2007, 11:22 AM

they make small cut off wheels for the dremel...
Could you just drill through the nut to get rid of the threads, and make that hole bigger also?

mjwalfredo · 05-31-2007, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04 Rocko Taco

they make small cut off wheels for the dremel...
Could you just drill through the nut to get rid of the threads, and make that hole bigger also?

You know what, when I get home today, I will see if there is enough room between the axle and the existing nut for another nut and the threaded part of the bolt. That sure would make things easier, thanks Rocko!

04 Rocko Taco · 05-31-2007, 11:25 AM

more than welcome!!

surf4runner · 05-31-2007, 11:29 AM

be happy the broken easy-outs came out easy

mine is still stuck

seafarinman · 07-30-2007, 03:22 PM

Just leave the remnants of the bolts in there. You don't need a swaybar anyways. I had a set of swaybar discos and one day when my truck was all muddy I didn't put them back in. I drove it home like that and realized that I didn't need it at all, so off it came. That was like 6 years ago. I did the SAS and I really have no need for it now.

nix4x4 · 08-08-2007, 09:22 PM

shoot i had mine off the other day and its IFS... very slight change that i mightve not even noticed had i not been the one who removed them. But as far as stuck sway bars/ endlinks go, the whizz-wheel is your best friend.

mjwalfredo · 08-09-2007, 06:18 AM

I hear you guys about driving without the swaybar on. I have been without my rear for a couple of months now and I don't think that it is too big of a difference, especially with the Bilsteins on my truck. It is noticeable I believe though so I want to at least put it back on with my new poly bushings for a comparison.

By the way, it appears that there is not enough room to simply use a nut between the nut welded to the mount and the axle. I was at home depot and I saw a fiberglass (I think) cut-off wheel that I will try and use to remove enough of the nut fit a new one on there. I'll post about the proccess when I get around to it.

05-31-2007, 11:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
mjwalfredo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Blythewood, SC Posts: 538	Sheared rear swaybar bolts, Too late for easy out - What should I use? Hi Guys, During some wrenching, I needed to remove the rear swaybar from my 3rd gen 4 Runner and sheared both bolts that attach the the bar to the axle on the passenger side. I tried to use an Easy-out like tool but I kept breaking them so I lost my cool and started drilling into the bolt studs. This was stupid especially now that I've got a new room mate who knows how to use an easy out correctly (Didn't know about this at the time) So now my plan is to drill out both bolt studs to make a bigger hole and just use bolts/nuts/washers to attach the swaybar. Here is my problem, the tab on the axle that the sway bar is bolted to has a nut welded to it. I want to cut this off but there is maybe 1-1/2 inches of space around that nut inside the tab. Anyone have a good suggestion on what to use to cut thru the nuts? I've got access to a dremel so if there is a good attachment for it that would be awesome. __________________ -Marcus 1997 4Runner Limited 4x4, E-Locker, Bilstein HDs, Air Springs, Deckplate Mod, 265/75/16R Bridgestone Deuler A/T Revo

05-31-2007, 11:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
04 Rocko Taco Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 4,092	they make small cut off wheels for the dremel... Could you just drill through the nut to get rid of the threads, and make that hole bigger also? __________________ -Chris Tread Lightly! 04 Double Cab PreRunner. 3.4 - Auto 84 4Runner 4WD. 22R - 5 spd Lifted, Locked, 33x12.50 Disclaimer:My Photobucket is being revamped. If there are broken links, shoot me a PM. Thanks. ~Chris Great Toyota Tech

05-31-2007, 11:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
04 Rocko Taco Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 4,092	more than welcome!! __________________ -Chris Tread Lightly! 04 Double Cab PreRunner. 3.4 - Auto 84 4Runner 4WD. 22R - 5 spd Lifted, Locked, 33x12.50 Disclaimer:My Photobucket is being revamped. If there are broken links, shoot me a PM. Thanks. ~Chris Great Toyota Tech

07-30-2007, 03:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
seafarinman Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kitsap County WA Posts: 973	Just leave the remnants of the bolts in there. You don't need a swaybar anyways. I had a set of swaybar discos and one day when my truck was all muddy I didn't put them back in. I drove it home like that and realized that I didn't need it at all, so off it came. That was like 6 years ago. I did the SAS and I really have no need for it now. __________________ Rome the "Seafarinman" IT1(SW) US NAVY 1994 SAS 2RZ/R151F=244:1! http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/seafarinman/

08-08-2007, 09:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
nix4x4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: I'm an Ohio boy! Posts: 1,199	shoot i had mine off the other day and its IFS... very slight change that i mightve not even noticed had i not been the one who removed them. But as far as stuck sway bars/ endlinks go, the whizz-wheel is your best friend. __________________ The Stable... 2002 Toyota Tundra SR5 AccCab V8 4WD 1992 Toyota Truck DLX Xcab V6 5-speed 4WD 1995 Honda Accord LX 4 door I4 Check out my sweet myspace

08-09-2007, 06:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
mjwalfredo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Blythewood, SC Posts: 538	I hear you guys about driving without the swaybar on. I have been without my rear for a couple of months now and I don't think that it is too big of a difference, especially with the Bilsteins on my truck. It is noticeable I believe though so I want to at least put it back on with my new poly bushings for a comparison. By the way, it appears that there is not enough room to simply use a nut between the nut welded to the mount and the axle. I was at home depot and I saw a fiberglass (I think) cut-off wheel that I will try and use to remove enough of the nut fit a new one on there. I'll post about the proccess when I get around to it. __________________ -Marcus 1997 4Runner Limited 4x4, E-Locker, Bilstein HDs, Air Springs, Deckplate Mod, 265/75/16R Bridgestone Deuler A/T Revo Last edited by mjwalfredo : 08-09-2007 at 06:19 AM.

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