I'm hoping someone can help me save the world a few bottles of scotch disappearing.

I have been replacing the sway bar links and bushings on my 2008 HHR after getting the dreaded clunk.

It was quite a pain getting the links replaced, as the nuts just wanted to spin, but I got them done on both sides.

I also got the bushing replaced on the passenger side without any major headache.

The problem I have is the 15mm(ish) nut on the driver's side. There's something on the 10mm head bolt that keeps it from dropping through on the rear side of the link mount. Problem is that thought I got the 15mm nut off, I cannot get it back on. There is not enough clearance to get the nut on the bolt.

Does anyone have any ideas or tips on how I can get this nut on the bolt to finish the mounting of the bracket?

Thanks much for the help.

 

I'm not following your question can you post a picture?

 

gotta slide the nut into place before putting the bolt thru the hole in the chassis ............ tough to do ........

 

No way of getting a camera there... but it's nut#2.



The bolt is not coming out of the chasis though. It moves, it spins, but it's not lowering. It's apparently got something that prevents it from being dropped.

 

You have to hold the nut with something. There is a thread about how various folks got 'er done. The bolt is not "captured" it is Just floating in the cavity. If you look real close at the illustration you can see how it works, not easy.

 

I don't remember having that problem but if you remove or loosen the rear control arm bushing bolts ( one one each side ) you should be able to lower the rear of the sub frame a little to get more clearance to get in there.

 

Like Lucky said, I had to loosen the lower control arm rear bushing bolt and drop the cradle a bit to get the nut out, place the bushing cage bracket in and put the nut back on, a pry bar helped hold the cradle down while I did all this. there must be a pal nut or something holding that bolt up there to assist in assembly,

 

I got the nut out no problem. I just can't get it back in. I'll try lowering the control arm and let you guys know. Sounds like that should give me more than the couple centimeters I need to get the nut back on.

Thanks for the help.

 

It can be done without touching the cradle bolts, I've done it. It was 2 years ago so I only remember that it was a real challenge. There is a thread on the forum wherein I described my ordeal along with a few other members.