need help with my rear sway bar, big problem......

J

jamesk

Member
:
mazda protege 2002
when i was changing the sway bar, i noticed that one of the studs on top of the sway bar snapped! i installed it, and everything is on tight and making no noise, but how do i get the stud out? where can i get this fixed? i have no idea what to do and i need some help.
 
I would say maybe try drilling out the snapped part and then retap the hole and use a new bolt.
 
They have a special drill bit for removing bolts when the head snaps off. Should be available at almost any hardware store.
 
would you happen to know what its called? would it be cheaper if i pay someone to do it? is it worth dropping my car off at the dealership?
 
I don't know, when I need one I went to the hardware store and asked for something to remove a bolt that the head broke off of and they gave me the drill bit.

If it is rusted in place it might not work, I broke the bit on another bolt that was severely rusted. In that case you just have to drill it out and tap it.
 
It's called like a gorilla bit or a gator bit. It's like a deepwell socket that has a bunch of pins inside that will move up and down and grab onto weird shaped bolts/stripped bolts.
 
What you are looking for is called an easy out , You drill out the center of the boly with a small drill then put the easy out in you drill and the bolt comes out . however you will have to remove the cross member to do this .
I think you would be better off removing the cross member and drill out the bolt ,,and retap the hole ,install a new bolt so it is in the hole and then weld it in leaving the threads exposed the same as the stock set up ,weld in the bolt ,then grind off the head and use a nut . There is just enough room to get the nut on , It would be a real b**** to try and install a bolt with the cross member in the car .
 
yea i noticed that i am able to take that cross member out. is that difficult? dangerous? if i can take that out, that would be really easy, cause i wouldnt be able to get a drill in there.
 
jamesk said:
yea i noticed that i am able to take that cross member out. is that difficult? dangerous? if i can take that out, that would be really easy, cause i wouldnt be able to get a drill in there.
Click to expand...
Check your PM's I have sent you a link that will help you do this
 
thanks for the link malcom! my only concern is that, does it **** up the alignment? i just got an alignment because i put new lowering springs in. is this a hassle? should i bother doing this or just bring it to the dealership?
 
jamesk said:
thanks for the link malcom! my only concern is that, does it **** up the alignment? i just got an alignment because i put new lowering springs in. is this a hassle? should i bother doing this or just bring it to the dealership?
Click to expand...
Mark the alignment bolts before you take them apart ,then you can out them in the same position as they cam off , Your aglinment should be the same .
 
im reading the directions and its saying that i have to remove the front and rear laterial links? is there a way i dont have to take that out?
 
THis isnt really the safest way to do but you could support the car on stands .Then put a jack under the center of the cross member and undo the 4 nuts holding it on . then slowly lower the jack , You may have to undo the rear trailing arms to allow the strut to swing out so the cross member will low . Like i said THIS IS NOT THE SAFE WAY TO DO THIS
 
whats the worst that it can happen? its not holding anything right? its just a support bar, right?
 
can you explain a bit more in dept on what you mean malcom?what are the steps i should do? undo the links connected to the crossmember first, then undo the crossmember and lower it with a jack? or just undo the crossmember 4 bolts and let it down? why is a jack necessary anyway?


you have been a big help so far btw.
 
jamesk said:
can you explain a bit more in dept on what you mean malcom?what are the steps i should do? undo the links connected to the crossmember first, then undo the crossmember and lower it with a jack? or just undo the crossmember 4 bolts and let it down? why is a jack necessary anyway?


you have been a big help so far btw.
Click to expand...

LIke he said, it isn't THE safest way, but do-able. Loosen the inner lateral link bolts from the subframe first (after you mark the concentric adjusters like Macklum said!), you won't be able to get the front bolts out anyway because of the fuel tank. After you undo the 14mm bolts holding the subframe to the car lower the crossmember down, then those two front puppies will come out. You won't have to loosen the strut/lateral link connection, they'll "spread" far enough for what yer doing. Also use soapy water on the exhaust rubber hangers, they'll pop off easy. The exhaust will not need support whilst you work.
 
last night i was able to get the whole crossmember out of the car. i disconnected the front and rear lateral links. since i was able to get it out of the car, i was able to easily drill out the broken stub, retap the same 10 x 1.25 threads into it, and put a new stud in it it. it looks just like stock now. im going to install my crossmember back in the car right after im done with this post.

thanks for the help guys.
 
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