So I was trying to install my BC racing coilovers yesterday. I got the front drivers side on without much issue, but then I go install the front passenger and the endlink where it attaches to the lower arm is frozen in place. The nut came off fine, but then the endlink wouldn't retract from the lower arm. I tried to unbolt it from the sway bar itself, and it too won't budge. I tried hammering like crazy on the end of the bolt as well as the endlink itself, tried raising the suspension, tons of PD blaster, etc. I don't know what to do at this point other than take it to a shop and have them try to work it loose.

Any suggestions from the experts who have ever dealt with this before?

Is there a way to remove the shock assembly from the car without unbolting the sway bar?

 

You mentioned that you already tried raising the suspension, but you should be able to find just the right height that the end link can be popped out. You can also remove the endlink on the other side of the car. That can remove some of the force on the endlink that is giving you trouble.

 

Anyone else with suggestions?

I think I may have to just unbolt the front sway bar completely to solve my problem...something I didn't want to have to do.

 

I would remove the installed coilover assembly on the otherside and then attempt to pull both end link bolts out of the control arm on both sides. If the side that you still won't budge. But or rent a impact wrench. I will warn you however, your end links may be toast. I had my oem front end links fail. I had to use a dremel and slice off the nut and bolt to remove them.

I now have SPL endlinks that I have adjusted shorter to suit my ride height setttings and eliminate preload. I do not have to remove them when doing installs, can't say the same for oem end links.

 

If you tried raising both sides of the car already and it still won't come off, I would take off the drivers side coilover and see if it'll come off then.

Be VERY careful when hammering away because I encoutered the same issue during my coilover install and in the process of hammering we flattened the end of the endlink and had to replace the whole thing. It was only $35 at Nissan but still an unexpected setback.

Good luck.

 

I'm going out of town next week, so it's not going to be until next weekend before I can tackle this project.

I'm probably going to try unbolting the sway bar to see if that eases that pass side endlink up. I went ahead and purchased a pass side replacement for $20 off ebay just to be safe in case I have to damage the one I've got to remove it.

As for now, I'm just riding around on one front coilover at full height and the stock setup on the other side. There's barely a drop on the coilover side right now, so I don't think it'll affect anything in the meantime.

 

I ran into the same issue.. I placed a floor jack under the arm and slowly raised and lowered it until I could get it as close to even as possible with the end link bolt and I slowly worked it out.. Took a little tweaking.

 

yeah, i came across the same "problem", but it can be easily taken out if you place a jack underneath the suspension, raise it up a bit to release the tension, and should come right out without the use of a hammer.

 

well I'm glad to hear that I haven't been the only person who's run across this problem. None of the DIYs I've run across have mentioned the problem, so I wasn't sure if it was unique to my vehicle. I learned my lesson to unbolt everything on both sides first before removing components.

I'm leaving for Gatlinberg, TN tomorrow for a week of vacation. I'll be anxious to re-try everything once I get back home. Too bad I can't take the G, otherwise I'd give the tail of the dragon a try

 

Same problem here too! On a AWD.. don't know if it's the same thing! but 2 guys, a jack, a hammer and a pry bar did the job!

 

need to raise both sides and take out the both endlinks
if the endlink thread digs into the aluminum unbolt the other one

 

Thanks guys! Still waiting to get back under the car to finish this...too busy recently. It's driving me insane!