Safe to drive with 17mm endlink/strut bolt not fully tight? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

kev60625 · 05-14-2016, 02:27 PM

Hello, I feel like a complete noob and bad for this! So I was trying to install new springs and once I tried to remove the bolt that holds the swaybar endlink and strut (17mm bolt), I couldn't get it out. I used an allen key to hold the endlink and then used my socket, unfortunately I think the allen key came out a little and after a while of turning, only the top part of the bolt was "loose" and had a gap, while the bottom of the bolt is flush. If I stick the allen key in and move it around, I can get it flush on whichever side I want..I have decided to let a pro do it, but will I be okay to drive with like this for a little while? Really hoping I didn't damage the bolt or endlink as well...

swarb · 05-14-2016, 02:40 PM

Why not tighten it and let the pro finish the job?

kev60625 · 05-14-2016, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swarb

Why not tighten it and let the pro finish the job?

I've tried for sure. Just doesn't move now

swarb · 05-14-2016, 02:52 PM

What do you mean by bolt? The endlinks have nuts to secure them.

You are ok to drive on it, as I have on loose endlinks. They will make clicking sounds. Handling might be compromised so be careful.
Also some heat from a torch would make it easier to loosen.

kev60625 · 05-14-2016, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swarb

What do you mean by bolt? The endlinks have nuts to secure them.

You are ok to drive on it, as I have on loose endlinks. They will make clicking sounds. Handling might be compromised so be careful.
Also some heat from a torch would make it easier to loosen.

Nut is what I meant. Thank you for letting me know its safe, I will def take it easy in the meantime

crazyfrenchbiker · 05-14-2016, 03:57 PM

You can safely drive with the sway bars completely disconnected.

kev60625 · 05-14-2016, 06:18 PM

Drove to work and there's so much clunk going on. Feels so sketchy

Lynxis · 05-15-2016, 01:56 PM

One of my endlinks is broken so yeah, I get a lot of clunking when driving over small and medium sized bumps.

kev60625 · 05-16-2016, 03:51 PM

So i ended up going at it again. Trick was to push the end link top part inward, towards me, while holding the Allen key in and tightening the nut. Was a little trickery without help, but I got it back on tight

turtlefeeder · 05-17-2016, 04:23 AM

Get it fix ASAP. The longer you drive the more can go wrong. Might even infect other parts lol....

Than the heart break wallet killer begins

05-14-2016, 02:27 PM	#1
kev60625 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Drives: 2013 WRB Subaru BRZ Location: Chicago Posts: 220 Thanks: 41 Thanked 45 Times in 33 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Safe to drive with 17mm endlink/strut bolt not fully tight? Hello, I feel like a complete noob and bad for this! So I was trying to install new springs and once I tried to remove the bolt that holds the swaybar endlink and strut (17mm bolt), I couldn't get it out. I used an allen key to hold the endlink and then used my socket, unfortunately I think the allen key came out a little and after a while of turning, only the top part of the bolt was "loose" and had a gap, while the bottom of the bolt is flush. If I stick the allen key in and move it around, I can get it flush on whichever side I want..I have decided to let a pro do it, but will I be okay to drive with like this for a little while? Really hoping I didn't damage the bolt or endlink as well...

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05-14-2016, 02:40 PM	#2
swarb Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: BRZ Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,052 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,451 Times in 1,271 Posts Mentioned: 79 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Why not tighten it and let the pro finish the job?

05-14-2016, 02:52 PM	#4
swarb Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: BRZ Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,052 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,451 Times in 1,271 Posts Mentioned: 79 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	What do you mean by bolt? The endlinks have nuts to secure them. You are ok to drive on it, as I have on loose endlinks. They will make clicking sounds. Handling might be compromised so be careful. Also some heat from a torch would make it easier to loosen.

05-14-2016, 03:57 PM	#6
crazyfrenchbiker Hot Lava 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Hot Lava FR-S Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 398 Thanks: 19 Thanked 78 Times in 60 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	You can safely drive with the sway bars completely disconnected.

05-14-2016, 06:18 PM	#7
kev60625 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Drives: 2013 WRB Subaru BRZ Location: Chicago Posts: 220 Thanks: 41 Thanked 45 Times in 33 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Drove to work and there's so much clunk going on. Feels so sketchy

05-16-2016, 03:51 PM	#9
kev60625 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Drives: 2013 WRB Subaru BRZ Location: Chicago Posts: 220 Thanks: 41 Thanked 45 Times in 33 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	So i ended up going at it again. Trick was to push the end link top part inward, towards me, while holding the Allen key in and tightening the nut. Was a little trickery without help, but I got it back on tight

05-17-2016, 04:23 AM	#10
turtlefeeder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Drives: UltraMFrS Location: OC Posts: 701 Thanks: 204 Thanked 135 Times in 100 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Get it fix ASAP. The longer you drive the more can go wrong. Might even infect other parts lol.... Than the heart break wallet killer begins

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