Sway bar bolt at frame just turns and turns???

Hey all, I'm installing my front 5100's, and came accross a problem which is causing me great concern. While trying to remove my sway bar one of the bolts that connets to the frame won't come out...it just turns, and turns. I think what happened is the nut welded to the frame on the inside busted loose. I got my shocks out and ready to go, but now I'm worried that this semi-loose bolt on my sway bar is going to cause problems because only three will be holding it tight. Is there any way to get into this area to hold the nut to tighten it? I'm really worried this might f-up the drivability of my truck, so any help is really, really appreciated.

 

on the end of the bolt is a spot to put an allen wrench to hold it..

 

Not this one...this is one of the bolts that attach the sway bar to the frame...

 

Yep, found that out on the prerunners...My 05 4x4 doesn't have a place for an allen wrench.

 

Cut the bolt and buy a new one.

 

is there any play in the threads? like does the bolt move up and down in the thread sleeve?

Threads MAY be stripped... pull down on the bolt while turning and it should start to work its way through the "rough patch".

 

You don't understand...there is a nut that is supposed to be welded to the inside of the frame, in the boxed section that broke loose. If I cut the bolt, then what? I'd be in the same position as the nut on the inside would still be loose.

 

Mine did the same thing when I was removing my driver's side one. I tightened the bolt back down and tried backing it out again and everything was normal. It also went back in just fine after I installed my 5100's. Hope that helps...

 

Only way I can think of, because the frame is boxed in the front... Take off the bumper skin and the bumper reinforcement.


I dont think its sealed at the front of the frame. Maybe be to the extreme but you gotta do what has to be done.

 

I didn't remove my whole sway bar...you should be able to swing it up and out of the way....

 

I can shine a flashlight in this small hole, and I see that the nut was spot welded in 4 spots on the inside of the frame...those broke loose. Maybe there was too much rust/ buildup on it that when I was turning it, it just broke loose?! I think I'm screwed here unless I can get something in there to jam the nut from turning, and tighten it.

 

I'm not worried about getting the sway bar out of the way...I'm worried about when I button everything up, one of the 4 sway bar bolts that attach to the frame will be loose.

 

Only way I can think of, because the frame is boxed in the front... Take off the bumper skin and the bumper reinforcement.


I dont think its sealed at the front of the frame. Maybe be to the extreme but you gotta do what has to be done.


Use a crowbar or a long screw driver..

 

I don't think that'll do it...it's much too far to get at that way, plus the nut is square.

 

same thing happened to me. You need to find a 7/16th self tapping screw and force it in there ( make sure it is a hex head screw. 3/8's is too small

 

I can't even get the old one out. It was about 1/3 out when the inside nut snapped off the frame. This lift has been so frustrating I wish I'd never done it...

 

Anyone alse? I don't even know what to do now. I don't think it's safe to drive like this?!

 

Not sure if you have access to air tools. If there's enough room between the nut & the frame, wedge a flat head or chisel in between to keep pressure on the nut. This will pull the welded nut that broke off back against the frame, then hit with short bursts with an impact gun, 1/2" not necessary, 3/8" gun will do.

If you don't have air tools & the nut is not a threadlocking type (ie nylock or distorted type) then you might be able to do it by hand.

 

You can drive with or without a sway bar so I'm not sure it's going to affect the driveability of the truck. Have you called a dealer to see if a mechanic can assit you?

 

Could you cut the end of it and ush the rest up onto the frame? Then get a self tapping screw like the other guy said...