I have a snapped sway bar link! I need some advice

[JonBs]

Last weekend I went shooting out in the desert and I noticed that every time I went over a rut or a rock I heard a clunking noise, I figured that it was just my sway bar bushings so I ordered some without even looking. Well I went to put them on and my passenger side sway bar link is snapped. It looks like it has been broken for awhile, there is no new metal showing, it all looks pretty well rusted over. my 4Runner is a 1998 SR5 with a 5 Speed manual with 138,000 miles on the clock. I have owned it for about 4 months. It is my daily driver and probably once a month I take it out to the desert to go shooting. My question is should I just replace the sway bar links, or should I also replace and upgrade my sway bar as well. Also what is a good brand to replace these with. I already have Prothane bushings, do they sell the sway bar and links without the bushings? I know that I will slowly be replacing/upgrading suspension components as things break. Thank you in advanced.

 

[JayRolla]

If you dont wheel to hard you can get away with part store replacements. Just dont get the cheapest ones.

 

[JonBs]

If you dont wheel to hard you can get away with part store replacements. Just dont get the cheapest ones.

I don't like to replace with cheap parts. I really like the best which is why I would like to get a really good brand just in case I do decide to start wheeling more. I would rather replace it once, ya know?

 

[JayRolla]

I don't like to replace with cheap parts. I really like the best which is why I would like to get a really good brand just in case I do decide to start wheeling more. I would rather replace it once, ya know?

Thats exactly how I feel. You have a few options.

#1. OEM replacements will last a good amount of time, but they still can break when hitting the trail hard. They are a rod spot welded to the end so they have a weak point. If you disconnect on the trail that would be the best option running these. Also are expensive.

#2. OEM 1999-2006 Tundra front end links. They are a solid cast design and are very strong. Sonoran Steel sells these as upgrades for 3rd gens.

#3. IMO best option is get ahold of [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION] on this forum. He makes aftermarket disconnecting links that are very strong and can easily be disconnected. Only issue is he is not always making them when you need them. They are 1" longer for lifted applications but should still work on a non lifted rig.

#4. Hit up Wabfab.org. He makes aftermarket links that also disconnect. Mstudt design I feel is way better. Your also supporting local member buying form Mstudt. Only thing I like better than Mstudt links are teh wabfabs are adjustable in length. Wabfab is known for bad customer service and long shipping times. I had to buy a set from them because Mstudt was in hiatus. It took over a month to get my links, multiple emails and many excuses on there end. But overall its a great product.

 

[MStudt]

#3. IMO best option is get ahold of [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION] on this forum. He makes aftermarket disconnecting links that are very strong and can easily be disconnected. Only issue is he is not always making them when you need them. They are 1" longer for lifted applications but should still work on a non lifted rig.

I'll be making links through next June/July. After that it'll be hard to say since we'll be on the road exploring, and living the dream. I'm not very backed up right now if you need something, but still out about 7-10 days.

Even my disco's can be adjusted, but only around a 1/2". The standard links can be adjusted around an inch. These can be made for stock right height, and lifted applications. Really depends on what you're looking for, but I'm sure I can make something for most applications.

 

[Myrunr2010]

just run without them. you've been running without them for a while anyways apparently and didn't notice. even with a lift you won't notice much difference with and without the front sway connected. just my personal opinion. I had the same thing when i bought my runner, replaced it expecting to feel some difference and there wasn't one. did the same thing when i put my lift on except opposite, had them on, broke them, didn't really notice.

 

[tx_shooter]

#4. Hit up Wabfab.org. He makes aftermarket links that also disconnect. Mstudt design I feel is way better. Your also supporting local member buying form Mstudt. Only thing I like better than Mstudt links are teh wabfabs are adjustable in length. Wabfab is known for bad customer service and long shipping times. I had to buy a set from them because Mstudt was in hiatus. It took over a month to get my links, multiple emails and many excuses on there end. But overall its a great product.

I wouldn't try to do business with WabFab again if he was selling ice water in hell.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-experience-with-wab-fab-off-road-llc.184787/

As for the OP - drop the sway bar and enjoy the extra travel when popping curbs or driving in the desert.

 

[JayRolla]

I wouldn't try to do business with WabFab again if he was selling ice water in hell.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-experience-with-wab-fab-off-road-llc.184787/

As for the OP - drop the sway bar and enjoy the extra travel when popping curbs or driving in the desert.

Yeah. I had read all the reviews. No one else makes the part and i needed them for a 1600 mile trip. It's pretty much you get what you get with wabfab. Either you accept the long wait or don't. I got mine after 4 weeks. They over nighted my part because I waited so long. Over all worked out and the links are very nice.

Re adding my sway bars was best thing I've done to my rig.

 

[MStudt]

just run without them. you've been running without them for a while anyways apparently and didn't notice. even with a lift you won't notice much difference with and without the front sway connected.

As for the OP - drop the sway bar and enjoy the extra travel when popping curbs or driving in the desert.

While you guys are correct about the extra travel, and not noticing it very much. There are underlying factors happening that you don't notice, and I'm not trying to pad my sales by saying that.

 

[Myrunr2010]

While you guys are correct about the extra travel, and not noticing it very much. There are underlying factors happening that you don't notice, and I'm not trying to pad my sales by saying that.

Care to elaborate?

I have considered using the 2nd gen links, but haven't found it necessary to this point.

 

[MStudt]

Care to elaborate?

I have considered using the 2nd gen links, but haven't found it necessary to this point.

Without having sway bar links in the front you're going to wear parts out faster. With the added roll the body will have you'll wear out parts like ball joints, TRE's, and even your coilovers. Sway bar links are designed to reduce body roll, and this would mean less movement of parts in the front end.

 

[TNRunner99]

Without having sway bar links in the front you're going to wear parts out faster. With the added roll the body will have you'll wear out parts like ball joints, TRE's, and even your coilovers. Sway bar links are designed to reduce body roll, and this would mean less movement of parts in the front end.

What he said ^ If you do a lot of highway/road driving you will want them in the front. If you mainly just use it for off road you could get by without them.
If you don't like the aftermarket ones mentioned I would go with some 2nd gen ones. They are a little beefier. But I think your main problem was rust on the original ones. Stock replacements would be fine.

 

[tx_shooter]

Without having sway bar links in the front you're going to wear parts out faster. With the added roll the body will have you'll wear out parts like ball joints, TRE's, and even your coilovers. Sway bar links are designed to reduce body roll, and this would mean less movement of parts in the front end.

Makes sense; I have a set of the QDs but currently have the whole sway bar off the 4R as I am working on a good way to keep the sway bar captured when disconnected without running the inside of my tires.

 

[JayRolla]

Makes sense; I have a set of the QDs but currently have the whole sway bar off the 4R as I am working on a good way to keep the sway bar captured when disconnected without running the inside of my tires.

Ive disconnected front and ran no links up front with no issues. Just push it up out of the way. Rear needs to always stay connected to avoid axle to tank interference.

I know after about a year of no front sway bar it got a lot worse. Almost like it wore out my front suspension.

 

[Scramble]

I dont understand how people can not feel the difference. Maybe because I've driven the truck for so many years with them in. I drove without them for two weeks out of curiosity before I put mstudts in. I admit that on flat bumpy roads with pot holes it rides like a Cadillac, I was liking it! But where I live there lots of steep hilly roads with with sharp bends & going down them is not fun with out end links. Especially if a deer or another car jumps out in front of you. Just get the quick disco's from mstudt so you dont end up off a cliff or into a tree in an emergency situation.

 

[highcj5]

I bought some from MStudt. I would highly recommend. they are very nice and beefy. I too had the same problem as you. went to put my lift on about 2 months ago and found 1 broke.

 

[Myrunr2010]

I dont understand how people can not feel the difference.

I tend to drive like a bit of a grandpa, and there arn't many hills around here, so that could be the reason.

 

[Scramble]

I tend to drive like a bit of a grandpa, and there arn't many hills around here, so that could be the reason.

Yea, everyone's driving style & terrain is different. I'm definitely heavy heavy on the gas with the 4cyl & 5 speed.
I'm 99% on road & it's my bad weather vehicle to get to work so safety comes first. My poor truck never gets driven on nice sunny days! Only in rain & snow where I can rust it out here in the NE. It goes to the car wash a lot.