For those who don't know... wife drives a 2006 SLT, 4.7 V8, AWD.

So went to change the wife's shocks today. Purchased Monroe Reflex units.

Yes, yes, before you all start yelling at me, I know Bilsteins are superior. However, no towing or off-roading involved, and if you buy four Monroe Reflex units right now, they give you a $25 rebate. Basically, you get a shock for free in the end, and I couldn't pass that up. Rock Auto had the best prices, as usual, and here we are. Anyways...

Got the shocks changed no problem. A while back, found bad end link on rear sway bar. Thought that may be the source of the rattle in the suspension we've been hearing for a couple months now. Figured it'd be an easy job, and I'd do it when I did the shocks.

Not so much when the torx "holes" in the ends of the links are stripped.

After catching my neighbor, who has some really nice cutting tools, and talking him into cutting them off the sway bar for me, mission accomplished. New end links on, bar reinstalled. While putting the front shocks on, figured I'd play a bit with the front sway bar... and sure enough, I can yank on it and hear a small rattle when moved by hand. If it rattles by hand, it is probably the source of our rattle over bumps/potholes while driving.

And guess what? Two seized nuts stopped me in my tracks (the lower ones). No matter what wrenches or heat (propane torch) or how much "Knock'R'Loose" I use, they will not budge. Strips the end of the bolt, so their's no way to hold it while the nut is turned. Just can't seem to catch a break. Wonder how I'm going to talk my neighbor into cutting for me this time...

Long story short, I've read about this nut crackers you can buy at various hardware stores. Are they worth a shot, especially since the new links will come with new nuts, or is there an easier way? Thanks in advance for any help...

 

Broke a 1/4" drive socket wrench, and an 1/4" to 3/8" socket adapter, but I managed to get them off far enough to get my neighbors grinder in there and cut them off.

Now we're going to see how she handles without front end links for two days until the new ones get here.