Sway bar link stuck on old control arm. Dealer says to replace it...

[ALL4WD]

New control arms going on my car right now, and the dealer called to say that the sway bar link is stuck to the old control arm and cannot be removed without damaging it. $77 for a replacement. Anyone else run into this issue? Advice? I guess my car is stuck in the shop until I get something figured out...

[ALL4WD]

Or can the car be driven with only 1 sway bar endlink attached?

[Don Supreme]

They probably stripped the bolt... I almost did the samething changing my rear sway on my B5. The sway bar link has this allen bolt and it may strip if you are not careful.... The sway bar link bolts were very very stubborn, even after some lubricant.

[ALL4WD]

Maybe I'll go check it out in person over lunch to see if it's stripped. Can it be driven with only 1 link?

[Craigo]

pb buster on that suckerr

[ALL4WD]

Just took a look and they stripped the bolt and chewed up the bushing on the link in the process. So I'll just get a new set from eBay for $35, but it seems a little strange that they mess something up and it's my responsibility to fix it...

[ALL4WD]

They did say they thought it'd be fine to drive short distances until the new links come in.

[absolutegtr]

One turning go real slow....if you are going to drive it. Otherwise, going straight has nothing really to do with the sway bars.

As for THEM damaging the bolt, I would fucking raise hell, if they are trying to charge you.

[ALL4WD]

One turning go real slow....if you are going to drive it. Otherwise, going straight has nothing really to do with the sway bars.

As for THEM damaging the bolt, I would fucking raise hell, if they are trying to charge you.

"The bolt failed so the technician was not at fault."

[ALL4WD]

And of course the eBay set I was looking for $35 at was for a b5... b6 is $70. Not a big deal but I hate it that they won't take responsibility for damaging it. No amount of arguing is going to change their minds either. They couldn't care less if I ever come back again or not.

[vdubstreets]

oh man, i gatta do my control arms soon, im figuring its the lower one. i guess ill take my time disconecting the sway bar link.

what where the sympotons of noise whas it clicking on small sharp bumps?

[ALL4WD]

you could just feel something was loose in the front suspension, and a dull rattle on bumpy streets.

[vdubstreets]

Hmm thats not exactly my issue, i guess im going to have to look into it some more. its more of a clicking noise.