Problem with Front Sway Bar! Help me!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Problem with Front Sway Bar! Help me!
I have a 99 vert. I have been taking all my custom parts off to sell. I removed my Pfadt Street Sway bar, and sold it. Now, I asked my 22 year old son to install the OEM sway bars. Unfortunately, he was using an impact wrench, and snapped off the bolt on the support bracket on the passenger side. Now, my sway bar rattles around. My son tried to drill it out, and use an easy-out to remove it, but just broke the easy-out in the broken bolt. I need to fix this, but a mechanic told me the bolt is broke off in the front cradle, and that cannot be repaired. He told me I need to replace the front cradle!
I need a better solution. Is there another after market sway bar that does not use these OEM brackets?
Does anyone have a different idea on how to fix what I have?
Thanks for checking, and for any replies!
I need a better solution. Is there another after market sway bar that does not use these OEM brackets?
Does anyone have a different idea on how to fix what I have?
Thanks for checking, and for any replies!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Do you have a photo of where it broke? The easyout was cheap, a good one shouldn't break. You might also try welding another bolt to it.
Can you feel the bolt on the top of the cradle?
The issue might be the bolt was cross threaded and the impact wrench could care less and rammed it in there.
Can you feel the bolt on the top of the cradle?
The issue might be the bolt was cross threaded and the impact wrench could care less and rammed it in there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Do you have a photo of where it broke? The easyout was cheap, a good one shouldn't break. You might also try welding another bolt to it.
Can you feel the bolt on the top of the cradle?
The issue might be the bolt was cross threaded and the impact wrench could care less and rammed it in there.
Can you feel the bolt on the top of the cradle?
The issue might be the bolt was cross threaded and the impact wrench could care less and rammed it in there.
#1. Do not allow your son to ever work on your car again.
2. Take your car to a competent mechanic in your immediate area to extract & replace the broken bolt.
#3. Have this mechanic attached your sway bar correctly , along with the proper torque values.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,095
Likes: 42
From: Pewaukee WI
I agree, and along with this below.
#1. Do not allow your son to ever work on your car again.
2. Take your car to a competent mechanic in your immediate area to extract & replace the broken bolt.
#3. Have this mechanic attached your sway bar correctly , along with the proper torque values.
#1. Do not allow your son to ever work on your car again.
2. Take your car to a competent mechanic in your immediate area to extract & replace the broken bolt.
#3. Have this mechanic attached your sway bar correctly , along with the proper torque values.
with the right mechanic that bolt will come out!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Thanks everyone. I did not know the bolt hole went all the way through the cradle. I will ask around for a shop that can fix this. I appreciate the help!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 46
From: Taylorsville North Carolina
For some reason, I see a lot of cross threading issues with those bolts, not just in vettes, but Camaros and TAs also. Not sure if it is a steel bolt vs al cradle issue or what. Good luck with the repair.
