So I went to install the RSb today. I started with the nut in which you need the 5mm hex key for. I got it about 3/4 of the way off, and it wouldnt budge after that. Even had my dad out there trying to brake it loose. We sprayed WD40 many times, and it still wouldnt budge. Any suggestions? I am going to get some pentrating oil and put it on tonight and try it again tomorow. Also, we didnt have much leverage with the 5mm hex key we were using, so I am going to buy the 5mm hex key that looks like a T. Maybe that will give us more leverage.
Suggestions?

 

whoa, i just ordered this RSB 3 hours ago..i would like to know too, just in case..lol

 

You got it, get a good wrench with some real leverage, not just an allen key.

 

yeah I just held the hex key and turned the real wrench to get if off

another side not, its easier just to pop off the exhaust hangers to put the sway bar back in.

 

I have to reuse those nuts correct? So is it going to be the same story with trying to get them back on? Or will it be easier since I already took it off and got the dirt and crap out of the threads?

 

put the hex key in the bolt off of the endlink, then take a closed end wrench and slide it over the hex key and take the nut off that way, use the wrench, the hex key is just keep the bolt the nut is on from turning. I have done this many many times and it works every time, no oil or anything.

 

Use a penetrating oil like Liquid Wrench (I've always found it to be the best, but....) as opposed to WD-40 (which is really just an all purpose lubricant), and you'll need something to hold the allen wrench with. I locked it into a full size pair of vice grips; the previous suggestion to slip a box wrench over it evidently works too (although you'll have more control with the vice grips since it becomes basically one piece). Clean up the studs (I would use a small wire brush; the type that looks like a tooth brush) and I'd suggest an anti-seize coating when re-installing the nuts (it will make it easier to take them off down the road if you want to remove the bar). Of course I avoided the whole re-install by taking advantage of the opportunity to replace the original end links with the MOOG replacements. They're a high quality piece and look much more up to the task than the OE links. If you're stuck with the nut half way off, turn it back on a couple of turns and maybe try to clean up the stud. Lube it, then try to remove the nut again.

 

The hex key is garbage. I don't use it. I use a wrench to area behind the endlink. I dont recall to well since I haven't done anything to that area in a while.

 

Will be trying it again today and let you guys know how I made out.
I just put some liquid wrench on it, ill let it sit for a bit.

 

bad news
we got the drivers side bolt off, and started on the other side. got about half way, and the hex hole was stripped
what the hell to do now
i think i will buy new endlinks (anyone have suggestions on aftermarket, where to buy)
and cut the old bolt off
do the new endlinks come with all hardware?

 

NAPA, among others, sells the MOOG end links (I got them from Rockauto.com, the cheapest at the time, less than $18 each). The part numbers are K90342 for the right side, and K90343 for the left. That's for the 05; I can't imagine it's not the same for 04-08. If you have the nut backed off enough, you may be to get a vice grip behind it to hold the stud; if not and/if you're going to replace them, I'd say get it off anyway you can. The problem is that the 5MM hex hole is the only way to hold the stud, there's no way to get wrench on it. The MOOG replacements have a 15MM (I think) hex nut on base of the stud that you can use to hold the stud when you tighten the nut.

 

Great, thanks for the help. I just ordered both endlinks. They were 17$ a peice. Now that I ordered them, I dont need to worry what the heck I do to these rusted nuts and bolts. I should have done this in the first place instead of trying so dam hard to get the nuts off. O well. But thanks for the help.