quantum7

Has anyone here used a nut splitter?
Trying to replace sway bar end links on 07 TL. The upper nuts on each of the sway bar end links will not budge. Been soaked in PB and torqued to death and no movement (of course the lower nuts come off easily on both).
Can not get a big breaker bar on the uppers so hoping to just bust/split the nut but wondering how effective these tools are.
Any suggestions about these tools appreciated. I know that I can try blow torch too but I figured this might be a good tool to have around for jobs like this.

BROlando

Are you attempting to re-use the link?

If not...use a hammer/chisel to bust the link housing from the ball stud. Then grab the ball with vise grips and loosen the nut. Easy peasy. No special tools.

It seperates really easily with a hammer blow in the right spot.

^I hope you enjoyed all the inuendo.

quantum7

not saving....have the new ones ready to go.
yeah....I figured i could cut it off, torch it or pound away.
Just wondering about this tool. A few videos on youtube and some reviews on Amazon. Seems that the tools fail before the nut splits half of the time.

Going to soak again overnight in PB and if that does not work I will try the hammer method....thanks

Yeah. Every video I saw started with "bust a nut" so it was a must.

stevemk07

I cut them off but next time i may try heat

BROlando

Ehhh I never use heat unless its an absolute total desperate last resort. Like 1 step away from junking the car type of last resort. You damage so many surrounding parts with torches.

Just smack the link off the ball stud with a hammer. 2 seconds. And its MASSIVELY gratifying. And you don't ruin all the surrounding parts.

quantum7

what did you use to cut them?

stevemk07

angle grinder worked for me... Also trued a dremel but tye discs wore too quickly and it cut too slow... I

I would try what BROlando suggested with the hammer though

quantum7

I am going to use the BROlando method tomorrow, but I have a dremel just in case. I have had some horrible bolt issues with this car....had a brake caliper bolt snap off trying to remove and now these that will not budge. That is why I was asking about the nut splitter.
thanks

nfnsquared

I just used a cutoff wheel. If you go this route, be sure to wear eye protection and I'd also suggest wearing a baseball cap backwards to keep the metal shavings out of your hair.

t-rd

YOU CUT IT OFF