Swaybar Bushing Upgrade - Toyota

CJ3Flyr · #1 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 09:39 PM

I just got back from a test ride after installing polyurethane sway bar bushings. WOW! My ’07 V6, 4wd handled and rode well with the factory rubber bushings. Now it is FLAT in the turns

. A quick snap of the steering (simulating an aggressive evasive maneuver) yields a virtually instant, FLAT, zigzag.

This is not the type of mod rock-crawling off-roaders would like. The extra roll stiffness would impede axle articulation to a degree during slow, rock-crawling type maneuvers. Anybody who likes good street handling and/or drives fast off-road would appreciate this mod.

I was able to change the front sway-bar frame bushings, the rear sway-bar frame bushings and the rear sway-bar end-link bushings without removing a skidplate or tire. I didn’t have to jack the vehicle or even mess with steering wheel position. Start to finish was an hour I think. I also did an engine oil change, t-case and rear axle fluid change also so my estimation of an hour is close but... ( I am a huge believer in doing the first axle fluid and t-case fluid change early, very early. The metallic glow of the rear axle fluid supports my theory. The t-case looked pretty good.)

I chose Prothane bushings for the frame bushings because of the grease holding grooves that help prevent annoying squeaks. Energy Bushings would work too.

Prothane 19-1118-BL (Rear)
Prothane 19-1146-BL (Front)
Energy Suspension 9-8105G (End-link bushings for rear)

This is a link to Jegs Bushing Page if you want to check out prices etc.

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...10002_10059_-1

EDIT: Greasables for those who prefer them here: http://www.jegs.com/p/Prothane/981833/10002/-1

V6=30mm front(Prothane 19-1186-BL), 19mm rear(Prothane 19-1162-BL) NOTE: for you 2wd, V6 guys, measure the front bar! That's the only one I'm not sure of. It may be 29mm rather than 30mm. I can't decide if that a true thing in the U.S. or not... Edit to the edit... Kmvreter has discovered that his '04, V6, 4wd has the 21mm rear swaybar. The bottomline seems to be measure before you buy!

V8=30mm front(Prothane 19-1186-BL), 21mm rear(Prothane 19-1164-BL)

truckhigh · #2 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 11:08 PM

sounds good, how much did you spend on the upgrade. did you happen to find the p/n for energy suspension bushings

CJ3Flyr · #3 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by truckhigh
sounds good, how much did you spend on the upgrade. did you happen to find the p/n for energy suspension bushings

I think I have $65 +/- in it. The link I listed above takes you to Jegs, an online parts supplier. They have Energy bushings as well. The rear swaybar on my V6 4wd is 19mm and the front is 30mm.

J.A. · #4 (**permalink**) 01-20-2008, 11:27 PM

Nice! I thought the rear bar was 21MM as the published diameter is 0.83 inches, how is the fit? Do you have XREAS? Are these fitted with Zerks? I have the ES on my 3rd gen and give them a few pumps of marine grease with each oil change.

CJ3Flyr · #5 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 08:44 AM

J.A.,
No zerks and no XREAS. I am positive mine is 19mm. I had found 20mm locally, purchased them and discovered they were too big. That's when I measured again and ordered from Jegs.

I run in a very clean environment overall and greasable is nice but I have also had good luck with the Prothane non-greasables. I drove my old Trooper over 100k on the non-greasables and I unbolted, cleaned/greased them once. It never had a squeaking problem.

Energy has them for a couple of more bucks. http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...91835_-1_10059

kn38ms · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 11:09 AM

Looks like an EZ quick way to miminize roll.
Do V8 Sport's have larger diameter sway bars?

CJ3Flyr · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kn38ms
Looks like an EZ quick way to miminize roll.
Do V8 Sport's have larger diameter sway bars?

I don't know about the V8 swaybars. I do know they are a metric dimension and the aftermarket bushings (in the range we use) are sold in 1mm increments. Measure carefully! Dial calipers that are accurate enough can be had very cheaply these days. Good Luck!

Casper · #8 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 06:31 PM

CJ,

great thinking....

though for those looking at doing this with the v8, it appears that the OEM v8 bushings are already PolyE bushes.

NITO97Limited · #9 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 08:42 AM

great post CJ!!! I've been searching for a solution to eliminate body roll for a minute now. I hear Energy is a great company for bushings.

CJ3Flyr · #10 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 06:13 PM

I have had them on a while now and still consider it money well spent. The beauty of it is, IMHO, it's pretty good bang for the $$$. Mods can get so expensive so quickly and this one is cheap in the grander scheme.

NITO97Limited · #11 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

I have had them on a while now and still consider it money well spent. The beauty of it is, IMHO, it's pretty good bang for the $$$. Mods can get so expensive so quickly and this one is cheap in the grander scheme.

IMHO????? translation? I agree, i'd like to get the most bang for the buck and to do the least to get the same results.

Now I just need to know the dimensions of my sways to know the replacements of the bushings.

thanks CJ

CJ3Flyr · #12 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NITO97Limited
IMHO????? translation?

In My Humble Opinion

NITO97Limited · #13 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

In My Humble Opinion

ooops my bad
thanks

crooper · #14 (**permalink**) 09-16-2008, 02:46 AM

Okay I installed a set of Energy sway bar and endlink bushings tonight and it took me 4 hours. I did a couple things wrong the first time and had some trouble aligning some bolts, but seriously you must have much better tools than me or something to get it done in an hour. Just getting the endlink nuts off and on took forever due to the minimal clearance between them and the fender well.

But... it was all worth it. My truck handles SO much better. MUCH flatter in the tight corners.

CJ3Flyr · #15 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008, 07:59 AM

Glad it worked well for you.

Did you Liquid Wrench or PB Blast the bolts the day before? I feel so lucky about living out of the snowbelt, bolts are easy.

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