Ok, so I've done everything in the Hotchkis manual up to removing the last 4 nuts to lower the steering cradle. But the don't come out. I tried using a torque wrench and I broke the socket, then I tried using an impact wrench and that didn't work either. Anyone have any ideas why the hell these ones won't get off my car?! Need help as soon as possible please, car is still on the lift now.

 

I used a breaker bar with about a 2 foot long piece of lead pipe(any thing long and will fit over a breaker bar will work, i.e copper pipe) for leverage, work great. I was like you, I tried sockets, impact wrenches and nothing seemed to work. Luckily, my dad is an old hat at working on cars and give me the tip. Just make sure the engine is supported with a jack, once the bolts are out, tug the suspension cradle down just enough to get to the sway bar. Hope that helps.

 

So is the engine resting on the steering cradle (be gentle lol)? Those bolts are only supposed to be 45ft-lbs but we tried w/ a socket wrench with a 3ft pipe and we were just bending the pipe. Couldn't find a breaker bar at Homo Depot for some reason. We also had the car on lift that lifts from the wheels not the frame. Can this install not be done while its on the wheels?

 

Yes the steering cradle does support the engine. If I'm not mistaken the steering cradle bolts are torqued 116ft/lb. You really need a breaker bar, should be able to find one at Sears. It's been awhile since I did my install, but you need lift the car from the pivot point of the control arms. Not sure but lifting from the wheels my be lifting the suspension up along with the car, which would explain why your having such a hard time.

 

Thanks for your help. This explains a few things for me.

 

I think "InLikeFlint" is right about the suspension being lifted. Lifting the car from the wheels is like trying to do the install with the car on the ground. The bar is under tension right now. You will have to lift the front end so the front wheels are off the ground and then I think things will be easier. I could be wrong because I havent done this but I just got done doing my spring install so I have a pretty good idea of how things are working under there.

 

You guys are probably right but I screwed it up too much so I'm going to bring it to Toyota so they can fix what I screwed up. I broke a bolt off in the hole that attaches the sway bar bushing to the steering rack and I think I messed up the threads to 2 of the bolts that attach the rear support braket. So what did I learn from my mistakes? 1 I like the scew up the same way multiple times, but more importantly, if the bolt doesn't screw in with your fingers, don't use a wrench. (God that was dumb)

 

Of all the DIY that I have done over the years the front sway install was the most tedious and difficult. I would not even have attempted it, if I didn't have my dad's know-how to fall back on.

 

funny how the same thing happend to me. My friend and i last night started to work on the sways and getting the rear was a piece of cake. We started working on the front and one of the bolts for the cradle did not want to come off even with a breaker bar and ended up breaking the 14mm socket. we just said screw it and torqed everything down so we can work on it another day. it was 3am btw. i might just have to pay someone to do it....this sux

 

That is weird, when we dropped my cradle down to do the clutch and flywheel it all went smooth. Didnt have to use a breaker bar or anything. Glad we got lucky there. The car was on a lift also with the engine hanging in a mount from the top also. So maybe that took the weight off it and made it easier. Good luck at the dealership though. Hope it all turns out well.

 

Delearship is going to charge me ~$270 for the install, fixing a bolt I broke off that holds the bushing, taping the two holes I was having a problem with and shifting the steering rack back to where it belongs. I'm guessing that I was too rough w/ my car but I had to try out my rear sway. Backend was definitely kicking out a little bit around corners (sooo cool).

 

the dealership by me quoted 147 for front sway bar install with warrenty on the labor.

 

Front sway would have been $79 if i didn't break ____.