changing sway bar links
Postmaster
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From: St. Peter
I think there is a metal sleeve. I've never took one apart besides my 94 ranger which is a different setup. I've only seen them broken. I know i've seen our mechanics cut them off before though. If you have a sawzall, just take it to the top of the bolt.
Post Fiend
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Peter I can't picture a way to bust the ones on the '94 (assuming that's what you meant when you said "I've only seen them broken"), they're very solid, no plastic at all. They're solid steel (looks cast and not forged), rubber bushings with a metal sleeve in the middle of them to run the bolt through. Identical and can be installed either way. I did attempt to replace my bushings last night and gave up...that rubber and the sleeve is jammed in there very very solid.
Postmaster
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From: St. Peter
The sway bar links on the torsion bar suspension rangers are made of plastic, and are prone to breaking. I agree with the ones on the TTB axles they are strong and definantly cast and the bushings suck to remove.
Rangerpilot refer to this article http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...eplacement.htm about the sway bar links. Some good info on how to do it. Actually I read this like 3 years ago, and just realized that one of my college professors for one of my automotive classes right now wrote it! Small world huh?
Rangerpilot refer to this article http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...eplacement.htm about the sway bar links. Some good info on how to do it. Actually I read this like 3 years ago, and just realized that one of my college professors for one of my automotive classes right now wrote it! Small world huh?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
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I broke mine on a road that required too much flex, and had my 400 lb quad in the back.
To get it off, i used a 12" pipe wrench to hold the center, and turned the nut. Pipe wrenches squeeze tighter as they get turned against, thus gripping much better than the vise-grip. Of course this was after a presoak with PB Blaster. It came off easier than I thought.
To get it off, i used a 12" pipe wrench to hold the center, and turned the nut. Pipe wrenches squeeze tighter as they get turned against, thus gripping much better than the vise-grip. Of course this was after a presoak with PB Blaster. It came off easier than I thought.
Elder User
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From: Lynchburg, VA
I assume you are speaking of the sway bar connecting links. The metal tubing piece acts like a spacer and is simply a sleeve that slides over the bolt and is held in place between washers butted up to the top and bottom inside bushings. You should be able to drive the bolt up and out of the sway bar. It is probably tight because the rubber bushing is compressed around the bolt and some corrosion on the bolt underneath the bushing. Some PB blaster or WD40 on the bushing may help it to slide through. There are no threads holding the bolt other than the nut on the bottom. If you have the replacements, it will be obvious. At least this is how it was for my 99.....passenger side broke and I replaced them both (new parts came as a pair from NAPA).
Good luck. Pat
Good luck. Pat
Last edited by pgw85706; Apr 24, 2007 at 04:44 AM.
Elder User
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From: Lynchburg, VA
Elder User
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look into the Energy suspension links also. Even Autozone's around here stock them for around $18 a pair.
My stock one was the center spacer section, with threaded ends on it to receive nuts. not a separate bolt going through the center. Though most replacements are that way.
My stock one was the center spacer section, with threaded ends on it to receive nuts. not a separate bolt going through the center. Though most replacements are that way.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Aurora
Yeah!! that's the standard replacement set that they sell for most vehicles. There's nothing wrong with them, but when I changed them out on my GMC, the bolts were so long that they connected/interfered with the upper control arm. Had to trim them to fit. Guess they never check the application before specifying them. Genuine replacement parts just seem more wholesome.
Fred
Fred
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Elder User
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I must correct my earlier post. I was going by the Energy suspension guide that said yes, they have them, just measure the sleeve length, however I went to get them today and they don't have a sleeve length long enough. Ours are almost 6", they go to 4 1/2". However, the TRW replacement has red urethane bushings with it. So i am in business, but at 16.49 each.
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