Help me with the swaybar links

[Knapper411]

Does anyone know what the deal is with the nuts on the swaybar bushings? They have little flanges on them and theres a plastic guard over them that i broke. Anyway im gettin real annoyed not being able to get new swaybar links on without being able to loosen these damn nuts. Anyone know a trick to getting the links to go on easier? Things just arent ligning up enough for me to get enough thread out the top for the nut. And speaking of that i dont even know if the nut goes on the top im just guessing.

Help would be great.
Thanks in advance