[s-cars] Stabilizer/Sway bar/Anti-roll bar nuts - having problems undoing

[Paul Heneghan]

Thanks Robert,

I had worked out that it would be bad to completely remove the sway bar -
the front wheels would have virtually no fore and aft locating mechanism.
Strangely enough, the Haynes manual (which is almost useless for these cars)
says to remove it with the weight on the wheels, and makes no mention of the
possibility of front suspension collapse afterwards!

I think I'll be able to wedge something in the LHS, but there is no
clearance on the RHS as there is an engine mounting about 3cm above the sub
frame.

I'm leaving it for now, and I'll try again when I get back off my holidays.
Maybe it's time I did the sub frame bushes as well - at least, then I'd be
able to get at the stabilizer mounting bolts.

Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Rossato [mailto:r0ssat0_987 at att.net]
Sent: 01 August 2005 18:51
To: Paul Heneghan; S-Car-List (E-mail)
Subject: Re: [s-cars] Stabilizer/Sway bar/Anti-roll bar nuts - having
problems undoing


First of all.  DO NOT try removing the swaybar with the weight on the
wheels.  The front bar forms the front part of what would be a traditional
triangulated lower control arm, and if removed with the weight on the wheels
the suspension would collapse.  Not something you want happening whilst you
are under there.

Yes, the bolts are difficult to keep from turning.  I had to jam some
combination of deep closed end wrench or small ratchet/socket.  Months later
it occurred to me that a swivel socket end wrench might do the trick.  I'm
referring to something like this:
http://tinyurl.com/9p3ef

I'm sure FACOM or other European tool manufacturers make something similar.

Bob