After thinking about it a little more, I realized my idea in Post # 10 won't work - it's backwards. To lock the link into place after backing it out of its bushing to relieve the preload would require having the ability to thread a nut on the bottom (sway bar) side of the link and secure it against the bushing. Oh, well, it's academic, anyway. I'll just have to accept some front preload, see if we can compensate for it, and move on.

 

Just to follow up, we reinstalled the stock sway bar, and as stated by several people in this thread, the impact on the corner balance was negligible. Not a great design, but it doesn't seem to be a big deal, either.