B16 Sway Bar Bushing Replacement

[bubdad1]

After reading a post by @VStar650CL, it appears as if the sway bar bushings are bad on my 2011 Sentra as there is a loud rattle when going over potholes or raised manhole covers. I believe I confirmed this as I removed the sway bar links and did a road test - no rattle.

As information, I recently replaced the struts, control arms and sway bar links.

I'm looking for guidance on how to do the job. The repair manual states to remove the entire subframe but has anyone done this job by loosening the subframe to drop it a bit versus removing it? Will dropping the subframe allow access to the sway bar bracket bolts?

If the only option is to remove the subframe, should I leave the rack and pinion on the vehicle? A comment posted in a YouTube video suggested leaving it on the vehicle but didn't mention any potential damage by doing so.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[VStar650CL]

You shouldn't need to remove the subframe. Loosen the front bolts and remove the rears, then tilt the back part of the subframe down enough to access the bushing bolts. It will still be tight, but not impossible.

[bubdad1]

@VStar650CL,

Thanks for the tip. Turns out I have a bad front subframe bushing. When I lowered it as you suggested, there was nothing left. So... I removed the subframe.

I now have an issue where I can't remove the pull down rod (item 12 in the EM section of the 2011 repair manual from this site). The bolts holding the rod in place feed through two bushing in it. I have a heavy duty impact wrench and it spins the bolt slightly then stops. To drop the subframe, I had to cut the rod in half using an angle grinder.

My guess is the bolts have frozen in the bushings due to rust. I've used penetrant and striking it. No luck yet but the bolt moved a bit more today after an overnight soak of penetrant.

Any ideas on how to get these bolts out? There is no way the bolt came out like it did on a YouTube video I watched. LOL

Also cleaning off the metal centers of the old subframe bushings in preparation to use new Polyurethane ones I purchased from PSB. Will burning the rubber off change the diameter of the metal? I was able to use a wire brush to clean the bearing holes on the subframe so I'm set...

As always, I appreciate your help and this forum.

[VStar650CL]

Burning the bushings out doesn't generally hurt anything. You might need heat on that rod bolt, too. Sometimes high explosives are the only option for rusted suspension parts.