I ran into the same situation that the rear sway bar wouldn't slide into position.

Here's directions that work:

At the passenger side remove the muffler clamp and rubber donut
and the 10MM bolt holding the flex brake line clamp
and jack up the muffler- I used a scissor jack.

Remove the passenger side rear bracket bolts (4) for the tranverse arm.
(These are at the edge of the frame under the passenger door)
Pry the transverse arm down maybe 2", and then you can slide the
sway bar into position.

Maybe you can leave the other tranverse arm bolts alone?
I'd try it if there's ever a next time.

Bill