gs450h, Rounded/seized nut on sway bar link, help!

[carnut1980]

Hi does anyone have a quick fix for a rounded out allen key hole? I literally gave it a couple of turns with the key, and now its no good, i need to change the drop link.

I thought of a hacksaw but theres not a lot of room behind the hub, perhaps a nut splitter or a small circular saw?

The nut turns with the bolt unless i can isolate the two and tap the bolt out. Otherwise theres no place on the link that i can grip to hold it still

Cheers guys/girls

[ColinBarber]

Dremel instead of a hacksaw?

[iwonder]

If you are replacing the ARB drop link, use locking pliers to stop it rotating and undo the nut. Helps if you clean the threads with a wire brush and soak the nut in a rust penetrant. Loosen a few turns and tighten back one. This is how I do pretty much all drop links unless is has a flat for a spanner. 

[XT5]

Try getting a suitably sized torx key, one that'll be tight fit, and bang it in with a hammer.

Put plenty of penetrating oil (proper stuff, Plus Gas or similar, not WD40) on it first and leave it soaking overnight in it if you can before you try to undo it.

Good luck!!

Brian.

[carnut1980]

ok I had a good poke around and actually bothered to use a pry baron the drop link. No play at all. Not even a millimetre. 

There' also no sound when I rock the car from side to side, which has always produced the knocking on other cars when the ARB drop links were bad.

I get the above noise (in the video link) when I rock the wheel from side to side, as if checking for a bad bearing. 

same when I rock the drivers side wheel.

Is this normal? 

Surely going over speed bumps and potholes don't produce rocking from the steering column?

Theres no play or vibration from the steering wheel. But I'm now pretty sure it isn't the drop link at fault.

Any ideas?

[iwonder]

Are both wheels jacked up when yo checked ARB? and if steering lock is on, you will get that noise.

[carnut1980]

no just one wheel on jack, though same noise when i drop it and raise the drivers side and rock that wheel too

[cruisermark]

Have you checked the universal joint on the steering shaft? - on the 430 you can see the joint just below the pedals?

[carnut1980]

 

https://www.gumtree.com/p/lexus/superb-lexus-gs450h-hybrid-fmdsh-xenons-30mpg-341-bhp-leather-ac-6cd-mark-levinson-hifi/1300756405

Hiya, no i haven't, the car is up for sale now, £2000 to anyone who's interested, cheers