Broken sway bar end links (PICS)

[Bill_Dunnigan]

Hello all,

I heard a clunk (metal on metal) when ever I hit a pot hole or uneven road surface. Took a quick look under the rig and found this

And this was the drivers side

I replaced them both, new pictures to follow this morning. Total cost was $40 bucks.

Where I live is quite rusty so I had to cut the old broken / wornout links out with a 5" grinder. Whole job took about 45 minutes and three cold beers! Did it on the grass, without a lift. Not hard at all!

 

[gannonrt]

Did you notice a difference from having / not having them? I've removed them from my 99 4Runner but I have a lift, tires, blah blah and can't tell if they make a difference. However, my wife's '97 is completely stock and hers are both off right now. I have the spares sitting in my garage but haven't installed them yet. Debating on whether I want to use the little time I have on that repair.

 

[Baja Runner]

I noticed it for sure .... but I drive on the highway a lot. Big time body roll on sharp fast turns. I did feel that it softened the ride though in general.

 

[fightman80]

I notice a difference when they are broken. However, I'm running polyurathane bushings, and it makes the truck corner like a champ!

 

[Bill_Dunnigan]

Did you notice a difference from having / not having them? I've removed them from my 99 4Runner but I have a lift, tires, blah blah and can't tell if they make a difference. However, my wife's '97 is completely stock and hers are both off right now. I have the spares sitting in my garage but haven't installed them yet. Debating on whether I want to use the little time I have on that repair.

Honestly, I really didn't notice the difference. The only thing it stopped was the clunking. The only reason I fixed them so quick is because my wife drives the runner and she nannies for two small children. If Toyota put them in there to stop excessive body roll then I'm keeping them in there for safety! When the new family vehicle comes ( soon I hope) then the 4runner will become my sole toy! I will probably remove the sway bar at that point.

 

[JayRolla]

Remember to disconnect one side if you hit the trail. They broke because you over stretched them on the trail. It will happen again just so you know.

 

[KHoffRunner]

Mine was broken on the same side in the exact same causing the same noise, found it today.

 

[Bill_Dunnigan]

As promised, here are the fixed images

 

[Bill_Dunnigan]

Remember to disconnect one side if you hit the trail. They broke because you over stretched them on the trail. It will happen again just so you know.

I agree that the front sway bar should be disconnected if your wheeling, but this does not break them. Age and fatigue and rust is what forshadows the break. With new end links, you should not have to worry about breaking them.

Just for any newbs out there..... Disconnecting the front sway bar will change on road handling characteristics. Off road, a disconnected sway bar will allow more flex meaning more tire to ground contact in sticky situations ( when you need traction). If your vehicle has a solid front axle, this is called articulation. Our 4runners have ifs, not solid front axle.

 

[Drcoffee]

I crawled underneath my 99 Tonight to replace the sway bar links just as routine maintenance when I found I was a little late. The left had been broken off for years by the look of the rust on the sheared off top bushing. Great photos. Everyone should check theirs periodically.

I bought and installed ES end link bushings instead of the rubber ones they came with. I haven't decided what sway bar bushings to go with yet. It's a truck so I want some flex. Polyurethane bushings can squeak after a while, which gets annoying. Has anyone tried the bushings on eBay called T-ALEM? I can't find anything at all on a google search.

Edit: I used the heavy duty washers that came with the Energy Suspension bushings, but I had to drill out the holes to fit over the new end link shaft.

 

[freshley]

So did you go with Toyota end links or are they Autozone or something? I replaced my bushings and I'm getting a clunk that is definitely from the sway bars now. I may need to replace the end links too.

 

[Drcoffee]

So did you go with Toyota end links or are they Autozone or something? I replaced my bushings and I'm getting a clunk that is definitely from the sway bars now. I may need to replace the end links too.

I bought mine from rockauto.com and went with the AC/Delco links. I used them on a previous van and liked the quality and they were sealed. $31ea which was cheaper than the lesser quality links locally at the part stores.

Be ready to cut them off if they are original. I doubt I will ever have to replace these again but I hit them with some caliper paint on the nuts and threads to ward off the rust.

 

[T4Rscott]

Also its a good idea to check your swaybar bushings at the frame. I just did front end links, greasable Prothane bushings and end link bushings in the rear. I just twisted the tops off the front end links using a wrench and vise grips.

Bill what part of Boston are you in? I am down there a lot for work.

 

[hrt4me]

I agree that the front sway bar should be disconnected if you're wheeling, but this does not break them. Age and fatigue and rust is what foreshadows the break. With new end links, you should not have to worry about breaking them.

Just for any newbs out there..... Disconnecting the front sway bar will change on road handling characteristics. Off road, a disconnected sway bar will allow more flex, meaning more tire-to-ground contact in sticky situations (when you need traction). If your vehicle has a solid front axle, this is called articulation. Our 4runners have IFS, not solid front axle.

good to know

 

[Wizzle]

Remember to disconnect one side if you hit the trail. They broke because you over stretched them on the trail. It will happen again just so you know.

I snapped mine on the driver's side yesterday on the trail. Will running it only connected on one side cause any issues? Also, how the heck do you get the bolt on the bottom of the end link off? The whole lower section spins when I turn the bolt. I tried to hold it with vise grips but it wasn't working at all.

 

[fenrisx]

I snapped mine on the driver's side yesterday on the trail. Will running it only connected on one side cause any issues? Also, how the heck do you get the bolt on the bottom of the end link off? The whole lower section spins when I turn the bolt. I tried to hold it with vise grips but it wasn't working at all.

There's a hole for an allen wrench on one side to hold it.

 

[Wizzle]

That makes sense. I assumed there was something like that to hold everything still. Thank you.

 

[wjamyers]

I had the exact same problem. Here's a pic of the tools I used to get the first end link off which is also included at the center of the pic.

The can is CRC freeze off (not nearly as unpleasant as other brands). The picks are Harbor Freight. The Allen/Hex Sockets are VIM Hand Tools SHM400.

I had to dig out the allen bolt/stud wrench hole using the picks, the little screwdriver and the freeze off. Once I could get the allen wrench in the hole I commenced to spraying, brushing, wiping, screwing out, screwing back in, spraying, brushing, wiping, screwing out a little bit more, screwing in, repeat ad nauseum until I finally got the damn thing off. I didn't want to have to cut it off or try getting vice grips on the back side, so I took my sweet ass time. It only took me 2 hours. :violin: I expect the second one will only take a half hour now that I have my technique down, I'll do it tomorrow. I didn't want to rush it and end up screwed. Just thought I'd add my 2 cents to what's been said which was very helpful. Thanks everyone.


image by wjamyers, on Flickr

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Question is this the cause of the nasty highway speed sway kinda like winds blowing your rig and its rocking back and forth but without the wind. I have this problem and the Link Pins didn't do a thing for me and the sway is still there any clues ... Alignment has been done tires are at 8/32 and 9/32 but I am out of clues.

 

[Myrunr2010]

Also its a good idea to check your swaybar bushings at the frame. I just did front end links, greasable Prothane bushings and end link bushings in the rear. I just twisted the tops off the front end links using a wrench and vise grips.

Bill what part of Boston are you in? I am down there a lot for work.

Both mine where broke. I replaced them and now get a nice clunk sound every time there is the slightest amount of suspension movement....I'm assuming it's the bushings you're talking about being shot