So I was putting in some 2" spacers today and living in Maine I was encountering some rust and such. All this week I had been spraying what I was going to work with with blaster and it did its job... until the last nut. As I was unbolting the final upper strut nut (toward the engine on the right, on the driver side) and about 4 threads from the top the bolt broke free and now the nut and bolt turn in unison. Not good. I installed the other side fine and I have everything ready except this one nut. How do I get this thing off? It seems that they should not be moving together and it is out of reach to clamp and unscrew. What do I do? Any help would be appreciated since now my vehicle is now on a tilt. (Also my sway bar nut snapped off with half the piece on the passenger side but this is not as serious. I was looking into getting sway bar disconnects anyway and I can drive it like that for a bit right?) Help!!

I am not sure about the nut situation. You might have to cut it off and replace with a new stud. You might get a pair of needle-nose pliers in there to hold it. There is a little gap under the head of the stud and the top stock rubber spacer. Can you put a large screwdriver in there to pry against the stud enough to give it some friction to get the nut off? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I am curious, what 2" spacers are you using?

I am using these spacers. They seem sturdy and of good design (cant say I have tested them since I havent got one side in yet).
I will have to try and get some pliers in there but dont know if I can hold it well enough to get the nut off with the rust resistance. Where can I get a replacement stud if I cut it? I tried lowering the truck back down with the tire on (of course) to see if the vehicles weight would put enough pressure on the stud sandwiched between the frame mount and the rubber but it still slid free.
Anyone have experience running sway bar disconnects? I think that they are often overpriced and would like to make my own but cant find any that are specific to a 98 Tacoma. Might have to trial and error that one.
Still need help!!!

I'd just cut it off, get an adequate replacement (not sure what grade that bolt is, but it has to be substantial), and be done with it.

You can drive with the swaybar as it is, it may make some noise but won't do any harm. Just remember that with a lift and no swaybar, your truck will lean, so be cautious until you repair it.

Arent they special studs in there? Plus wouldnt that require a spring compressor to take apart the strut tower?

Can I pick up a replacement at the local hardware store or is it more specific. I think I am about to go out and cut it off but then I wont be able to drive it until I get it fixed and this is my DD. Help!!

If I'm thinking about this correctly, you'll need to get a new coilover top plate from Toyota. Then use a spring compressor to install that top plate. If you had the new top plate, you could carry the coilover to a shop and have them switch it out. If the shop you find is well equipped, I think they could disassemble the coilover and spot weld the stud to the top plate. If I remember correctly, the stud is a press fit and since it rotated, a new stud would not press in there.

I might have a couple top plates I could sell <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />if you think it would help, I'll look for them tonight <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Where could I find replacement studs? I tried grabbing it with pliers but it wasnt enough. Tried sticking a screwdriver in and it seemed to almost get it but didnt and then the handle came off the screwdriver trying to get it back out. Eventually got it out though. Cutting is a last resort for me, how can I avoid that? Help!!!

Edit: Would Probably be willing to buy a top plate. It seems they are about $40 as far as I can find.

Sorry for being away. I have been pretty busy. As far as the top plate, you might get lucky and find a used set for sale on this forum or on some other toyota forums. Worst case, you could go to the dealer. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

I do have one thing to say though. Unless you are dead set on running that type of spacer, get rid of them! They are junk! An out of the pack or "top load spacer" larger than ~0.50 inches is bad news for your suspension. It over-extends the balljoints and also your spindles will be hitting your coils. Everytime you go over even the slightest bump, clang! Even my Daystar lift that is a spacer in the pack and a spacer out of the pack does that. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

If I were you, I would get a spacer that goes in the pack. You don't run the risk of over-extendeing the balljoints and possibly having suspension issues. Probably one of your concerns is that the spacer that you chose won't affect the ride quality. Well, it is a truck and the spacers that go in the pack are not that bad at all. Like I said, I have the Daystar kit and the ride is fine. A little firmer but I like it.

I would suggest Toytec Lifts. They make an awesome product and stand behind it 110%. They even offer Old Man Emu coil lifts too. Either one will be a little more difficult to install because you will have to take you coilovers apart. You will be happier with the end result with one of those packages.

Sorry for book. Hope this helps.

Well I did research and decided on the out of coil spacer then. I guess knowing this previously I might have chosen otherwise but now that I am invested I will hav eto stick with it for awhile. Why is it that if the different kind of spacers both give the same lift that the components wont all be stressed the same (ball joints, CVs)? As it stands now I will probably be going at the bolt with a saws-all tomorrow so this is that last opportunity to come up with the golden solution. If someone has a top strut plate laying around pm me please (it was mentioned above), or if anyone knows how to get ahold of them quickly.