Suspension and Brakes Springs, shocks, coilovers, sways, braces, brakes, etc.

End links / stabilizer bar links removal

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-24-10, 06:14 PM
  #1  
kanukem
Rookie
Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
 
kanukem's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default End links / stabilizer bar links removal

Hey everyone,

Any ideas on how to remove those pesky endlinks? I've read a couple of of posts from people who have cut them off or dremel'ed them off. I've already tried splitting the nuts .

For those who aren't acquainted with these, these are the links at the ends of your sway bars that link up to the strut mounts. As most may know, it's a case of engineering with good intentions gone bad. You have to use a 5 mm hex to hold the screw in place while you use a open/box wrench to turn the 14mm nut. The problem here is often times, the nuts are overtorqued or rusted on and in the removal process, the hex seat or the nuts become stripped.

The endlinks are a major source of popping/clunking that you may hear when driving over uneven roads and making turns. So, point of advice for people who have problems with this noise, check your endlinks and have them replaced.
Old 01-24-10, 07:28 PM
  #2  
t70 supra
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (-4)
 
t70 supra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: W.I.
Posts: 4,016
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

had to use a plasma cutter to getmine off mapp gas would even work in my 93
Old 01-24-10, 09:23 PM
  #3  
tavarish
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
 
tavarish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

If they're far gone, use a vise grip on the boot section and crack the nut with a wrench or ratchet.
Old 01-24-10, 09:31 PM
  #4  
kanukem
Rookie
Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
 
kanukem's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i tried the vise grip method inside the boot section but it didn't fit. i'll give it another shot this weekend. it's a pretty tight fit.

thanks for your input guys. Lets keep this rolling!
Old 02-09-10, 06:28 PM
  #5  
eemueller
10th Gear
 
eemueller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: MI
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I just cut mine off using a sawz-all. A little light oil to cool the blade and it took all of 2 minutes to cut off both.
Old 02-10-10, 09:56 AM
  #6  
t70 supra
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (-4)
 
t70 supra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: W.I.
Posts: 4,016
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

a cut off wheel will work
Old 02-10-10, 09:29 PM
  #7  
Luxor
Pole Position
iTrader: (15)
 
Luxor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 2,331
Received 37 Likes on 32 Posts
Default

I think I used a impact gun to loosen the nuts when I replaced one of my rear endlinks.
Old 02-12-10, 08:15 AM
  #8  
TheMole
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (13)
 
TheMole's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

All four of my endlinks came off pretty easily. Reason being is that they had a bracket on them that prevented them from turning as the nut is being loosened. I didn't have to use an allen wrench, but I had to on other cars and it was a major pain. Here is a pic of the bracket I am talking about:

Old 02-17-10, 10:57 AM
  #9  
PEARL2
Pole Position
iTrader: (4)
 
PEARL2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: MA
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

since the vice grip and wrench didn't work, use vice grip, heat the nuts up with map torch and then use the wrench
Old 02-17-10, 11:16 PM
  #10  
andrewwake
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
 
andrewwake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: 916 Ca
Posts: 773
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Let it soak in some pb blaster and give it some elbow grease before resorting to plasma torches and the like.
Old 02-17-10, 11:18 PM
  #11  
vinh
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (8)
 
vinh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: California
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by PEARL2
since the vice grip and wrench didn't work, use vice grip, heat the nuts up with map torch and then use the wrench
exactly what i did
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JAB
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
1
01-04-17 08:19 AM
99rx
Suspension and Brakes
12
09-03-16 06:45 AM
08ES350oh
ES - 5th Gen (2007-2012)
1
08-16-15 07:29 AM
m1k3yg
GS - 1st Gen (1993-1997)
3
07-20-12 01:25 PM
tmaung
Suspension and Brakes
1
07-16-09 02:16 PM



Quick Reply: End links / stabilizer bar links removal



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:22 PM.