How to deal with removing factory sway bar link with smooth middle nut

Looking for ideas (besides taking a cutting torch) to remove the factory sway bar links to replace my front end struts.

The issue I have is, there is no nut between the socket and vertically UCA/LCA bracket...just a smooth 1/4" spacer. All YouTube vids show a 6 sided nut. Is my only hope to cut it off, and replace? Or, by chance is there some magical tool or secret process to allow removal of my rusted bolt and stop the pin from rotating?

For reference:


Thanks!

 

Might help if you post a pic of what you're talking about. Sounds like the nut is totally rounded off? If thats the case you'll need to get after it with heat, PB blaster, and big vice grips.

Or if you're talking about keeping the shaft from spinning while you break the nut loose you can use vice grips on the end with a box wrench on the nut

 

Rusty sway bar links always spin like that. Sometimes they'll give you a allen-head spot on the stud but that will just round off anyway

Only options is cut it off or just grab it with big vise grips. It destroys the link either way

 

Location:CT
Start cutting…

 

I had to use vice grips to keep it from rotating. Replaced with MOOG greaseable ones and they have 15mm open end wrench flats which work great. Been on an off numerous times since then no issues. This is one rare area where the OEM is a poor design from toyota IMO

 

Thanks for the followup everyone.

For those commenting, the part I'm referring to isn't rounded off, it's just round, as in mu flat surface to place a wrench on. Also, very little rust, except on threaded nut end and threads.

Looks like my project just got busier.

 

Thanks for the recommendation!

 

So what holds the link in the spindle if theres no nut?

 

Mine had nuts on them when I replaced the links. Is it the same on both links?

My curiosity would also like to see a pic.

 

Vice grips and even using a large pry bar against the link to keep pressure on it.


I’ll even heat the nut with a butane torch

 

The stud on my oem link had an opening for an allen wrench. I want to say 6 mm but not 100% sure as it’s been about 6 years since I replaced it. My current aftermarket ones have a hex base.