Sway Bar Bolt Stripped

[Breto31]

I was installing my winch this past weekend, and the mount that I used required that you reuse the factory bolts for the sway bar up front to attach the mount to the frame. Anyway, when I was reattaching the sway bar bolt (that goes into the frame), it looks like the frame-end that the bolt goes into has stripped out. I was tightening the bolt down, and all of a sudden it broke free and started spinning, and I can just drop the bolt in/out of the hole.

Is this something I should try to have fixed? Or will it not cause any issues. 1 of the 2 bolts are on, and both bolts on the other side are on.

If I need to get it fixed, would a mechanic be able to do that?

 

[Ramona Wrangler]

there is, well there was a welded nut that broke those. The loose nut should be inside the frame bouncing around. you could drill a hole big enough to get a socket in there or you could drill and tap the existing size hole

 

[freedom_in_4low]

no way to know without trying it but I would try installing a nutsert in that hole.

Or...just get an antirock or swayloc sway bar that doesn't use those holes to mount.

 

[flyinfish]

I second getting a SwayLoc or Anti-Rock sway bar.

 

[Breto31]

Right now, I'm not ready to spend $400 on a Anti-rock or Swayloc after dropped $750 on a new winch! I'll see if I can get it tapped.

 

[TJ4Jim]

If the weld nut is still in place it can be drilled out and re-tapped to a size larger.

 

[flyinfish]

If appears like the nut broke loose from the inside of frame, you can cut the bolt above the swaybar bushing strap and the piece of bolt and nut should drop inside leaving a hole. You should be able to use a nutsert of the appropriate size after that.
You could pull the bumper to look down the end of frame to see what you have.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Right now, I'm not ready to spend $400 on a Anti-rock or Swayloc after dropped $750 on a new winch! I'll see if I can get it tapped.

the thickness of the frame metal is not going to give the thread engagement necessary to torque that fastener to spec. If you need to use that hole, I would recommend a nutsert. The only variable is whether the hole is already too big for a nutsert to grab.

 

[Breto31]

I'm not sure that the nut is actually broken, rather than just stripped out. When I pulled the bolt out, it had the threads on it from inside the frame, like they sheared off. It's like it threaded, and then the threads sheared off.

Do you guys think I'll experience any body roll by not having that 1 bolt on the sway bar mount in that location?

 

[flyinfish]

If the nut is still soundly attached then you can drill it out and tap it for a bigger bolt. To make sure, remove bumper and have a look.

 

[Ramona Wrangler]

If the nut is still soundly attached then you can drill it out and tap it for a bigger bolt. To make sure, remove bumper and have a look.

no need to remove the bumper.it won't do you any good

 

[flyinfish]

no need to remove the bumper.it won't do you any good

You can't fix it through the end of frame but you'll be able to see if there's an issue with the welded nut.

 

[Ramona Wrangler]

You can't fix it through the end of frame but you'll be able to see if there's an issue with the welded nut.

see post #11

 

[flyinfish]

see post #11

See post #12

 

[mrblaine]

If the nut is still soundly attached then you can drill it out and tap it for a bigger bolt. To make sure, remove bumper and have a look.

Why can't he just peek in the hole where the nut is/was and see if it is thicker than the .150 that the frame is?

 

[mrblaine]

I'm not sure that the nut is actually broken, rather than just stripped out. When I pulled the bolt out, it had the threads on it from inside the frame, like they sheared off. It's like it threaded, and then the threads sheared off.

Do you guys think I'll experience any body roll by not having that 1 bolt on the sway bar mount in that location?

If you got the bolt out, the nut is still there. If the nut broke loose while you were turning the bolt, it would be stuck on the end of the bolt and you'd be asking how to get a bolt out that has a nut stuck to it.

 

[Breto31]

Why can't he just peek in the hole where the nut is/was and see if it is thicker than the .150 that the frame is?

It appears thicker than the frame - looking from the top. Just smooth instead of threaded...

 

[Breto31]

If you got the bolt out, the nut is still there. If the nut broke loose while you were turning the bolt, it would be stuck on the end of the bolt and you'd be asking how to get a bolt out that has a nut stuck to it.

The bolt came out without any damage. It just slides in and slides out now.

 

[mrblaine]

It appears thicker than the frame - looking from the top. Just smooth instead of threaded...

As stated, drill and tap to next size up which in this case would be 7/16-14. Do the same one on the other side so it matches.

 

[Breto31]

As stated, drill and tap to next size up which in this case would be 7/16-14. Do the same one on the other side so it matches.

Maybe this is a dumb question - but - when I drill it out, what size should I be drilling it to? The 7/16 size?