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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

sway bar studs spinning free

  • Thread starter Thread starter olcobra97
  • Start date Start date Jul 20, 2022
O

olcobra97

Member
Feb 5, 2022
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New York
Jul 20, 2022
#1
  • Jul 20, 2022
  • #1
this is the passenger's front side sway bar on my Cobra - studs to hold the sway bar bracket to the frame rail are spinning free and the bar won't bolt up or come out. any advice is appreciated... thanks
 

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7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
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Jul 20, 2022
#2
  • Jul 20, 2022
  • #2
olcobra97 said:
this is the passenger's front side sway bar on my Cobra - studs to hold the sway bar bracket to the frame rail are spinning free and the bar won't bolt up or come out. any advice is appreciated... thanks
Click to expand...
Are the nut on top held in plastic dog bone shape like the Fox ones? I found a socket that worked on one side after the plastic holder broke. With the odd shape, 6” Vice Grips are the proper tool.
 
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olcobra97

Member
Feb 5, 2022
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13
New York
Jul 20, 2022
#3
  • Jul 20, 2022
  • #3
7991LXnSHO said:
Are the nut on top held in plastic dog bone shape like the Fox ones? I found a socket that worked on one side after the plastic holder broke. With the odd shape, 6” Vice Grips are the proper tool.
Click to expand...
I have no idea what the fox looks like- looks like might be a j clip from what I am hearing. I can't tell because I can't get to the top of the frame with this car.. thinking I may have to cut the stud and get a new set of studs and nuts, clip etc.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
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Jul 20, 2022
#4
  • Jul 20, 2022
  • #4
7991LXnSHO said:
Are the nut on top held in plastic dog bone shape like the Fox ones? I found a socket that worked on one side after the plastic holder broke. With the odd shape, 6” Vice Grips are the proper tool.
Click to expand...


No, the SN95 sway bar mounts to the frame rail itself with internal speed nuts.
 
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7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
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Kearney, NE
Jul 20, 2022
#5
  • Jul 20, 2022
  • #5
Mustang5L5 said:
No, the SN95 sway bar mounts to the frame rail itself with internal speed nuts.
Click to expand...
So, is a Sawsall or a nut splitter the proper tool here?
 
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olcobra97

Member
Feb 5, 2022
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New York
Jul 20, 2022
#6
  • Jul 20, 2022
  • #6
Mustang5L5 said:
No, the SN95 sway bar mounts to the frame rail itself with internal speed nuts.
Click to expand...
First off thank you for this information at least now I know what to replace it with...

7991LXnSHO said:
So, is a Sawsall or a nut splitter the proper tool here?
Click to expand...
The space is too small to use a nut splitter. Sawzall may help cut the bolts out but does not solve the issue of getting the top half of it out of the frame. I am currently using a cutting wheel but it won't clear the rear most bolt of the two. The most drastic option left to me is to cut directly through the bracket and have to order a new one...

Here is a picture of what the bottom of the ruined clip is like
 

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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,243
17,924
224
Massachusetts
Jul 20, 2022
#7
  • Jul 20, 2022
  • #7
Here’s an auction showing what’s in there. Basically is a stud that’s clipped into the rail. You need to hold the stud from spinning to get the nut off.

96-98 MUSTANG COBRA FRONT SWAY BAR MOUNTING BRACKETS OEM 97 COBRA FACTORY STOCK | eBay

94-98 MUSTANG COBRA FRONT SWAY BAR MOUNTING BRACKETS. NO BROKEN TABS.
www.ebay.com

2003 - 2004 MUSTANG COBRA FRONT SWAY BAR BRACKETS OEM SKU# C481 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2003 - 2004 MUSTANG COBRA FRONT SWAY BAR BRACKETS OEM SKU# C481 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com


Hopefully this gives you an idea on how to tackle it

 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Jul 20, 2022
#8
  • Jul 20, 2022
  • #8
Now I see.
If the studs have the end on them like he pic of the new ones, grind two flat sides (like a shock has), grip with a good Vice Grip and use a wrench to spin the nut.
Soak with liquid wrench for a day or three first if you can wait.
 
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olcobra97

Member
Feb 5, 2022
14
3
13
New York
Aug 1, 2022
#9
  • Aug 1, 2022
  • #9
7991LXnSHO said:
Now I see.
If the studs have the end on them like he pic of the new ones, grind two flat sides (like a shock has), grip with a good Vice Grip and use a wrench to spin the nut.
Soak with liquid wrench for a day or three first if you can wait.
Click to expand...
Sorry to reply so late.. Vacation took priority

I have figured I will sawzall the studs out. I found replacements for the clips holding it in up top and then use hardware .. or I can order the kit for the rear sway bar which looks similar.. I have attached the images. Thanks again for your help.
 

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