Honda Odyssey Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Sway Bar Bushing - can't get the bolts removed

Jump to Latest
1 - 16 of 16 Posts

chicagoguy1984

· Registered
Joined
·
26 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello Everyone 2009 HONDA ODYSSEY here, from Midwest, 125000 miles on it. Seen its share of road salt etc.

Two Bolts on each side holding the SWAY BAR BUSHING are just FUSED to the FRAME, FUSED SOLID. short of breaking the bolts, (very real possibility) my mechanic just can't get the bolts out.

Has anybody had similar issues? I did replace the sway bar end links on both ends - wasn't easy but we were able to get those bolts removed and put on the new OEM Sway Bar End links.

The Noise is better, but not completely gone as the sway bar bushings are well beaten up. I know they need replacement with new 2 of the $15 dollar rubber bushings.

Does anybody have a workaround to remove these bolts? do we just need more grease elbow to remove them? any tricks of the trade to get them loosened?

Another thing i am contemplating of just getting some sort of WEDGE underneath the bushing as a workaround to tighten the connection, like a composite wedge?

Thanks for any tips.
 
#2 ·
The bushing fixes the bar up/down and front/back and a combination of both.

For now, lubricate the heck out of the bushing with something runny like WD40, and see if your noise goes away. If so, you can soak the bolts and keep them soaked for the next few months, or if the noise doesn't come back, just do nothing.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
marvinstockman said:
The bushing fixes the bar up/down and front/back and a combination of both.

For now, lubricate the heck out of the bushing with something runny like WD40, and see if your noise goes away. If so, you can soak the bolts and keep them soaked for the next few months, or if the noise doesn't come back, just do nothing.
Click to expand...
well I know that Spraying it with anything will not fix it, there are visible gaps between the rubber "mount" and the sway bar, and you can hear (and feel) small bumps. ... I know that Replacing that rubber bushing fixes the problem, but I am interested in any other solutions. to stick something to wedge between the frame and bushing itself . I will try to get a picture up here. in a second
 
#4 ·
You have to hit these bolts with hammer, but it is not possible unless subframe is dropped.

I wouldn't touch it. Let it make noise.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#5 ·
chicagoguy1984 said:
some sort of WEDGE underneath the bushing as a workaround to tighten the connection
Click to expand...
How about cutting all or part of the bushing out of the bracket and replace it with urethane? (like done to repair a motor mount)

The bar rotates within the bushing so put a sleeve over the bar first so the urethane doesn't bond with it.

I've never done this, but seems like you have limited options.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chicagoguy1984
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#6 ·
chicagoguy1984 said:
Hello Everyone 2009 HONDA ODYSSEY here, from Midwest, 125000 miles on it. Seen its share of road salt etc.

Two Bolts on each side holding the SWAY BAR BUSHING are just FUSED to the FRAME, FUSED SOLID. short of breaking the bolts, (very real possibility) my mechanic just can't get the bolts out.

Has anybody had similar issues? I did replace the sway bar end links on both ends - wasn't easy but we were able to get those bolts removed and put on the new OEM Sway Bar End links.

The Noise is better, but not completely gone as the sway bar bushings are well beaten up. I know they need replacement with new 2 of the $15 dollar rubber bushings.

Does anybody have a workaround to remove these bolts? do we just need more grease elbow to remove them? any tricks of the trade to get them loosened?

Another thing i am contemplating of just getting some sort of WEDGE underneath the bushing as a workaround to tighten the connection, like a composite wedge?

Thanks for any tips.
Click to expand...
You can try PB Blaster with multiple soakings before you try to turn it. Then get Kroil and use multiple soakings over maybe 30 days. Kroil is called creeping oil and is very expensive, 8 ozs. for $21, but amazing how good it works. Of course, as you said if it is fused even the heat wrench will not loosen it , only the bushing will be destroyed. I have seen that effect by sawing the bolt lengthwise after destroying the other part holding it.
 
#7 ·
First, if the van is raised when you look at the bushing, they will be distorted, and yes, I know lubrication won't fix anything. But it will give you an idea if you're going after the correct component, as the noise could be from the top strut bearing or the strut itself.

Anyway, do what you want, or not.
 
#9 ·
An induction heater in this case would be fantastic. Breaking one of those bolts is a crazy nightmare that would most likely make you stay up at night. When I did the sway bar bushings on my 2012 I first prepped the area by brushing the corrosion off with a wire brush and then later PB Blasted the area heavily. Couple days after the prep I was able to remove all 4 bolts and replaced the bushings with AC Delco ones. The corrosion on my subframe isn't horrible though.
 
#10 ·
ATF+acetone to soak is also another option to Kroil. But heard from so many in other forums about Kroil before, never had to try it yet. But in the end you might end up using actel torch on it. Wonder why your mechanic didnt try it as he would have all these tools in the shop better then home DIYers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikmcd
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#11 ·
I recently watched a Scotty Kilmer video where he would powerwash and lube those kinds of bushings with spray on white grease. If there is no noticeable vibration, maybe worth a shot at following his suggestion.

I don't know how "soft" the new bushings are. Is there any chance that a replacement could be done without removing the bracket.... massive force and some grease?
 
#12 ·
Following.. Please keep us updated, I have mine to do soon too.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#13 ·
From my pitiful experience: the back bolt on passenger side was trickiest. I managed to make it move with Harbor Freight Icon wobbly impact sockets, but then I broke it. Tried many approaches to drill it out from the top, but failed.

What worked was drilling the bolt out from the bottom of the subframe. Most likely saving the thread in the subframe may not be worth it (like in my case) so I went “nuclear” and drilled out from the bottom the best I could and simply put a longer autograde bolt through the bottom of the subframe and fastened the bracket that way. It hasn’t given me any issues even after putting 1200 miles on the van after repairs.

I would second the advices to carefully loosen the bolt back with either heat (inductive tool) or chemicals. Just go slowly if you manage to get it moving, loosen then tighten back up a bit to break up the crud. If that fails, see above :).
 
#15 ·
bbrages said:
Depending on where you live, it might not be too bad. I live in St. Louis and mine weren't a big deal to replace at all.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately MN, but we aren't too heavy on the salt.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #16 ·
marvinstockman said:
First, if the van is raised when you look at the bushing, they will be distorted, and yes, I know lubrication won't fix anything. But it will give you an idea if you're going after the correct component, as the noise could be from the top strut bearing or the strut itself.

Anyway, do what you want, or not.
Click to expand...
Well for now, I am leaning towards just letting it make noise, a mentioned the sway bar endlings were replaced with a fresh pair of OEM (and that did help somewhat) when We removed the endlings the bottom portion simply fell out out of the "BLUE" housing , completely used up.

Is the Top strut bearing or struts a regular "PROBLEM" area on a 3rd gen with 126K miles? (i know it varies by how many city potholes we have hit over the years)

Thanks all for your suggestions. I do take console that its JUST THE NOISE, and its not a problem to drive around like that.
 
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
About this Discussion
15 Replies
12 Participants
Last post:
chicagoguy1984
Honda Odyssey Forum
posts
1.1M
members
432K
Since
2000
Odyclub community is the #1 forum to discuss all things Honda Odyssey: minivans, safety, service maintenance, mods, and more.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
2005 - 2010 Odyssey 2011 - 2017 Odyssey 1999 - 2004 Odyssey 2018+ Odyssey Problems and Concerns