I went to install the F-sport sway bar, and the two nuts I need to take off to make this happen are the only two rusted bolts under my 2009 IS 250! When I finally got something to move, it was not the nut, but something inside the silver piece that connects to the frame. Not sure what this piece is called.

I borrowed an impact wrench from my neighbor, and still no luck. Please see pics attached, and let me know what you think I can / should do. Also, with a loose sway bar, what kind of driving issues will I have? On the driver's side, out of the silver part, behind the rubber cover, some oil/fluid dripped out - this can't be a good thing, right?

I live in Rochester, MN so I can't swing by the dealership easily, it's in Minneapolis, MN, about 2 hours away.

Thoughts?

 

^^^^How the heck did you get an impact wrench up there. There is no clearance. I couldn't fit a torque wrench or 1/2" ratchet up there, and I couldn't move it with a 3/8" ratchet or breaker bar. To get that nut off I needed to purchase a shallow 1/2" drive 18mm socket and use a 1/2" drive breaker bar. The was no rust on mine, but once I had the proper leverage, it came right off. That is a ball joint, and it shouldn't be dry. That link should probably be replaced. But, the instructions that came with my bar say:

"1) If the ball joint turns together with the nut, use a hexagon (6 mm) wrench to hold the stud."

I didn't have this issue, but I would assume it would work.

Good Luck.

Lou

 

I used an 'air wrench' but it takes impact sockets, and is air powered. You're right it's TIGHT in there! Where is the 6mm connection to hold the stud? I didn't feel / see anything. My directions came from Lexus, maybe I need to 2x check them for what you mentioned.

 

There aren't any driving issues with a loose sway bar. When I got the F-sport sways, I tried to install them myself.. had some trouble with some of the screws so i decided to get the screws fixed at a local shop, had the car towed there on a flat bed and got it fixed. I was going to call another flat bed until the shop owner who also owns an IS350 told me that it would be totally fine to drive without ANY front sway bars on. So I actually drove home with NO front Sway bars. The ride had a lot more body roll, but nothing too dangerous.

 

The hex goes into the bolt here:

 

Its spinning with the ball joint, What I did was used clamp on the ball joint then turned with a wrench

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...ar-thread.html

Check my thread out. I think it'll help. To avoid bending the height sensor when you loosen the 17mm bolt, you might want to disconnect the smaller bolt( i think it's a 10mm).

 

The nut is 18mm.

Lou

 

spray wd-40 ---> get an open box wrench and put it in between the sway bar and rear of the tie rod (tilt it so it can be tight) ---> hold firm and shoot it with a swivel socket using an impact gun . get a IR gun, you will be happy. =) EZ as that. hope that helps, trick of the trade.