Front Sway Bar Bushings : 10mm

[The_Burban]

Is there a captured nut holding the top of this bolt that fixes the shackle to the frame?

That little 10mm was on there good. I may need a breaker bar or let the M18 Fuel 1/2" impact loose on it??

 

[wjburken]

It is more of a drawn flange that is tapped IIRC. On my 2007, when it had 260K on it I ended up breaking off all 4 of the 10mm bolts even after soaking with Kroil and PB Blaster.

Ended up drilling them out and going with locking nuts on the back side and new grade 8 bolts.

 

[The_Burban]

I didn't think this bolt would be reused. I will order new bolts and just count on breaking them off.

My bushings are squished and in bad shape. I am really trying to refresh things up front.

 

[The_Burban]

I ordered all new bolts and two new brackets. The brackets were cheap enough, mind as well... they may get tweaked during the process.

Those bolts are on there. Geesh. Almost $9 each, too, with a friendly discount.

 

[The_Burban]

Now just hope the old ones come out with no lasting damage to the female threads ...

My burban really needs these swapped.

 

[Doubeleive]

hit it with a torch, then she'll come right out, wont hurt anything since your replacing the bushing anyway.

 

[jz57]

Did you get those bushings and brackets from dealer or auto parts store?

View attachment 229474

 

[The_Burban]

Brackets and bolts are dealer.

Bushings are Moog via Amazon.

 

[The_Burban]

Two snapped right off.

I have no way of getting them out. I will try the double nut approach.

I tried heating them up with no progress.

Right now pass side has no bushing or bracket... Just two broken, busted off studs. It is parked, not a DD.

FM.

 

[wjburken]

Two snapped right off.

I have no way of getting them out. I will try the double nut approach.

I tried heating them up with no progress.

Right now pass side has no bushing or bracket... Just two broken, busted off studs. It is parked, not a DD.

FM.

Sounds like the luck I had on my 2007. Ended up taking the sway bar completely out so my wife could drive it to work with out it banging around and then the following weekend I drilled out all 4 busted off bolts and made the holes thru holes and put a nut where the threaded flange was.

 

[The_Burban]

Just a hardened bit and cutting oil... ? Start drilling??

 

[swathdiver]

One of mine snapped the head off 18 months or so ago. Several months later my buddy and I bush fixed it, welded a flange onto the end of the bracket, drilled a new hole and then drilled a new hole into the frame and captured it with a nut and washer.

The old grade 8 bolt has eaten $54 worth of special drill bits and resisted all efforts to weld a nut to it. It sticks proud from the frame on both ends.

The bush fix has held but the bracket is a little lower and think it has thrown the alignment off slightly. One of these days I'll get it fixed, have new brackets and bolts for it, just need a guy strong enough to remove that rusted remnant then we'll chase the threads and hopefully look like it never even happened. Darn Yankee winters!

 

[wjburken]

Just a hardened bit and cutting oil... ? Start drilling??

Yep!

I started with a 1/4” bit and then stepped up. If you are lucky, and can keep it centered, you may get the busted part to release. Mine drifted and got into the threads which is why I just drilled it out bigger and put a bit on the back.

Watch out for the metal shavings. They will be hot and will burn your face and neck if you’re not careful.

 

[The_Burban]

One of mine snapped the head off 18 months or so ago. Several months later my buddy and I bush fixed it, welded a flange onto the end of the bracket, drilled a new hole and then drilled a new hole into the frame and captured it with a nut and washer.

The old grade 8 bolt has eaten $54 worth of special drill bits and resisted all efforts to weld a nut to it. It sticks proud from the frame on both ends.

The bush fix has held but the bracket is a little lower and think it has thrown the alignment off slightly. One of these days I'll get it fixed, have new brackets and bolts for it, just need a guy strong enough to remove that rusted remnant then we'll chase the threads and hopefully look like it never even happened. Darn Yankee winters!

This Suburban has spent its life in PA and MD. Rust is anywhere ya care to look.

These bolts are serious duty. I will first flush cut with angle grinder. Then I bought a cobalt bolt extractor. It has a nice self centering piece with it... Get it started and try a few drill bits.

I imagine the other side will see two broken bolts, too.

 

[97audia4]

Dont guess at drilling it straight get an auto center punch and do that a few times dead center and when you step drill it you will be able to pick the treads out.