Sway bar bushing replacement, help.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: MN
Sway bar bushing replacement, help.
I am replacing my worn sway bar bushings with Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings. The new ones look nothing like the factory ones, is that right?
How do I remove the factory bushings for the drop down links, eyes (or whatever they are called)?
How do I remove the factory bushings for the drop down links, eyes (or whatever they are called)?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 563
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From: Llano and Huntsville, TX
dont hold me to it but i believe the drop down end link is one whole piece. well that is what was replaced on my truck from the dealer when it went bad two years ago.
could be wrong though.. so i dont know if you can put a aftermarket bushing into the end link.
could be wrong though.. so i dont know if you can put a aftermarket bushing into the end link.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
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From: Concord NC
Been there, done that. Yes you can replace the bushings. A couple of ways to do it. If you have access to a heavy press, the press them out. If not, do like I did. Use a propane torch, heat the rubber up until it begins to burn, cut, saw, press the rubber out. It is a PITA but worth it. If you use the heat, clean a paint the metal to prevent rusting.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 563
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From: Llano and Huntsville, TX
Been there, done that. Yes you can replace the bushings. A couple of ways to do it. If you have access to a heavy press, the press them out. If not, do like I did. Use a propane torch, heat the rubber up until it begins to burn, cut, saw, press the rubber out. It is a PITA but worth it. If you use the heat, clean a paint the metal to prevent rusting.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 140
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From: Sunriver, Or
I used a vice and a couple sockets. Get the sockets to push in on the bushing, and rock the arm back and forth.
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Elder User
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From: NW Burbs of Illinois
Thats how mine came out! The Vice wasnt happy but it made it
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Senior User
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From: MN
Nice detail 1975!
I dropped off the links at a shop and picked them up tonight. I just got done putting it back together, but thanks to the ****ty instructions I don't know where the 4 washers go. i put one on each bolt first, one washer on the head side of each link, is that right? I put them in the same way as 1975.
I dropped off the links at a shop and picked them up tonight. I just got done putting it back together, but thanks to the ****ty instructions I don't know where the 4 washers go. i put one on each bolt first, one washer on the head side of each link, is that right? I put them in the same way as 1975.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: WV
The workshop manual page says the sway bar to front axle nuts should be torqued to 41 ft-lbs and the end link bolts (top & bottom) should be torqued to 80 ft-lbs. Maybe I should add that to my tech article page.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
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I know your already done, but a really easy way to get the old bushings out is clamp it in a vise, then use an ordinary drill and bit to hog out the rubber around the center metal sleeve. Once the rubber is weakend, it is a simple matter to pop out the metal sleeve, once the sleeve is out, then the rest of the rubber comes out fairly simply.
And for the clunk, make sure your cab mounts are tight, then check your trac bar.
And for the clunk, make sure your cab mounts are tight, then check your trac bar.
