Hey Everyone,
I've searched all over for anyone else having this problem and didn't find anything. I actually feel dumb myself not knowing what to do. I'm in the process of installing a H-Comp RSB. All was going well until I reached the 4 sway bar bushing bolts to remove. I have the right socket and all 4 bolts just keep spinning, not coming lose/moving up the threads to separate.
I have a photo below to show the bolts. I've tried to add pressure, I've checked underneath to make sure the whole bolt is spinning, but it's not separating, not a single one.
Am I doing something wrong? I'm sure it's something simple, at least I hope. Worse case scenario would be cutting them then that would be a nightmare to fix. Any help would be appreciated since my DD is up on jack stands as I type this. Thanks everyone :/

 

Actually, worst case scenario would probably be a new rear axle carrier.

It seems incredible that the threads for all 4 bolts would be stripped, so
I hope it is something simpler. Anyone else have thoughts?
I didn't have this problem when I did my swaybar recently, but I forget,
is there a captive nut welded to the bottom of the hole that may have
broken loose, or are the threads in the hole in the carrier itself?

 

Here is another shot from underneath one of the bolts. If I took video, it spins when trying to take out, but doesn't move up the threads. Should I put pressure on the underside (bottom of the bolt) while turning?

 

If you can re-tighten them, do, and then delay this job until you can form a plan of attack for later. If you can't re-tighten them, it proves that the threads are completely stripped. The bolts will have to come out somehow. Try to get a screwdriver blade under the head and apply upward pressure while trying to back them out. New bolts with nuts on the backside will have to be used. Perhaps, if enough room, drill tap and install nutserts to replace the bad threads.

 

I would say the threads are gone. The picture shows easy access to the nut side of the piece. Can you get to it with a hammer and punch?

If that is the case, here is a suggestion. Get a hammer and hard steel punch and drive each up and out. Or at least far enough that they engage the last bit of thread that is left. Once out, drill out the nuts so you can pass a longer bolt through. Then assemble it with lock nuts (the type with the nylon insert). I suggest not going to a larger diameter bolt as the head may not fit next to the U-bracket.

Let us know how you make out.

 

Thanks Cristo, Trackrat, and Eddie. I ended up holding off to have more hardware to work with and to reassess the situation. I reinstalled everything since I tried to fit a flat head underneath; no go. If I decide to open up this can of worms again, on a warmer day, I will work towards punching the bolt up to try and grab a thread.
In the meantime my pile of mods can sit in the garage collecting dust, waiting to be installed.

 

 

A word of caution: Since the threads on the bolts are stripped, any aggressive driving may cause your RSB brackets to come "unglued". Don't let this go too long before addressing it. I think Eddie07S has the right idea/easiest solution. With longer bolts of the same diameter, you have less of an installation problem.