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FCP Euro Service Kits

FCP Euro Kits

Question: I'm replacing my Volvo 850 front struts, however, I can't remove the sway bar link nut from its stud or bolt. Both are spinning around. Cutting away the nut is obviously not a good solution, since I won't be able to tighten a new nut sufficiently. Is there some way I can get a firm grip on the bolt in the back?

Answer: The reason why it won't loosen up is because the ball joint is spinning freely. Normally an impact gun can take care of this as the jarring motion helps break up the corrosion keeping it in place. However, there are a few things you can do. Bring the suspension to "ride height" by placing a floor jack underneath the control arm and jacking it up. Bring it up until the frame of the car is just coming off the jack stand. This will put tension on the ball joint in the sway bar link and it should allow you to loosen the nut from the ball joint. There's also a good chance that the nut is seized on a little bit so hit it with some penetrating oil. I personally prefer PB Blaster but anything that will break up corrosion will work.

sway bar linkIf you have aftermarket sway bar links there may be an allen hole in the stem you can hold on to while you release the nut. The factory sway bar link stud should have a torx insert to counter-hold the stud while removing the nut with a wrench. If your not planning on reusing the link then get a good pair of Vise grips on the rear side of the nut. Most likely you'll damage the boot this way however.There should also be a spot on the shaft of the ball joint end where you can use a star bit to counter hold the ball joint while you loosen the nut. This is an OEM Lemforder sway bar link in the picture to the left. It may not be the same depending on what sway bar link you have installed. If it's an original or OE equivalent part it should have this area to use as a counter hold.


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Written by :
Gareth Foley

Gareth is the BMW Make Level Marketer for FCP Euro and has been with the company since 2012. Gareth's BMW obsession started with a hand me down E39 528i when he was 17. From this car he learned how to do his own repair work while also learning more about BMW. When Gareth was at CCSU studying Marketing he had the opportunity to go to SEMA with the college car club. This is where he developed his love of the automotive industry. Since joining FCP in 2012 Gareth has sought out to develop one of the broadest and most accurate BMW replacement parts catalog. he can be reached at gareth1@fcpeuro.com


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