Hadelson
New member
1st install was on my 05 T4R so knew exactly what to expect and do. Install on the 5th Gen a piece of cake
Poly sway bar bushings?
- Thread starter Scharfschütze
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1st install was on my 05 T4R so knew exactly what to expect and do. Install on the 5th Gen a piece of cake
Scharfschütze
New member
Lol! Got mine today as well. Both front and rear. I'll be installing next week unless time frees up sooner (wheeling this weekend and lots of prep ahead of time for that).
They seem pretty stiff and robust so that is good! Should be noticeable. My suspension is stock other than a rev-tech lift so should be able to provide some decent feedback on them.
Poorman's KDSS! WOOP!
Scharfschütze
New member
so looking at it just now. Seems like they could be swapped without dropping the factory skid...if thats the case I may knock them out tonight. Will report back
Scharfschütze
New member
Ok I put off some things I probably shouldn't have BUT the front is done. Its not terrible solo but a friend would have helped hold the bar in place on the re-install. No need to drop the skid, I was able to get to everything with a ratchet and short 14mm. I used a 2x4 to hold up one side of the bar to get the bolts aligned. One of them started to crossthread so be careful. I covered everything in the black lube they provided and cleaned the sway bar, mounts and frame, basically anything that would contact the new bushings before install to ensure no noises down the road.
I took a quick lap around the block and the front seems to lean a tad less but I think I feel the rear leaning still so its not the "full effect". There is 0 noise coming from the setup so far, hopefully that remains. I will have more feedback after my commute tomorrow.
Its dark now so I will tackle the rear tomorrow. It looks easier than the fronts and then I will be able to truly review this kit.
I took a quick lap around the block and the front seems to lean a tad less but I think I feel the rear leaning still so its not the "full effect". There is 0 noise coming from the setup so far, hopefully that remains. I will have more feedback after my commute tomorrow.
Its dark now so I will tackle the rear tomorrow. It looks easier than the fronts and then I will be able to truly review this kit.
Scharfschütze
New member
Took my GF to dinner just now and tested further, definitely feels tighter in the front. Very excited to see how it works out on the rear. Rear sway generally has a better impact than the fronts even. It feels better now for sure.
TRUSTYAXE
New member
Just got my shipment notification today, can't wait to get these on. I go through a round a bout daily so that will be my test. Were they split or did you have to completely remove the sway bar?
Scharfschütze
New member
It's split in the side of the bushing. Just drop 2 14mm on each side and it drops down. You can swap over with the bar sagging easily. Get a buddy to help you reinstall. It was a pain solo. Doable though if you're impatient like me.
Thinking about this mod more, and being a recent roof rack owner, I think it'll come in handy with load up on top.
Thinking about this mod more, and being a recent roof rack owner, I think it'll come in handy with load up on top.
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Hadelson
New member
You will see a minor increase with the front only. You will really notice an improvement when you change out the rear. Putting the bushings between the bar and end links has the bar immediately countering any sway where you would see compression from the stock bushing first.
Well, I lied....ended up installing front and rear tonight. I hate laying under a wet truck, but I was bored, so I did it anyway. (We are in the middle of a nasty storm here, and the truck was in the driveway all day)
Took it for a quick ride around the neighborhood, and it does seem to feel better. I'll need some time to tell for sure, but it seems promising.
Took it for a quick ride around the neighborhood, and it does seem to feel better. I'll need some time to tell for sure, but it seems promising.
Crikeymike
Senior Member
You dirty dog, you!!!!! How long you been together? hahahhaha
Scharfschütze
New member
Scharfschütze
New member
I'm installing my rears as soon as I get home from work tonight. How you liking them a few days in [MENTION=130513]rainmn[/MENTION] ?
To be honest, I haven't touched the truck since the trip around the neighborhood right after installing them. (I work from home)
Two things I wanted to mention:
You mentioned having to hold the sway bar back up in place to get the bolts threaded. If you just do one side at a time, the sway bar won't drop. You still have enough wiggle room to get the bushing on the bar and slid into place.
Also, not sure what you saw when you installed your fronts, but I'm not 100% thrilled about the fit of these. They are perfect for the diameter of the sway bars, but the external dimensions of the bushings are smaller than the OEMs, both front and rear. It doesn't seem to be an issue once they are bolted into place, but I was still surprised by it. I actually went and double checked to make sure I got the correct part numbers.
Scharfschütze
New member
Ah ok cool. I didnt try to take them off untill I'd dropped both sides, good tip.
I observed kind of the same thing on the dimensions. They fit but are not snug in the OEM mounts and I lubed it all too so it was a little worrysome but, my fronts after driving about 40mi around town are silent and 0 issues. Mine seemed quite snug after I tightened them down, no visual gaps or play whatsoever.
GO DRIVE! :couch2:
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TRUSTYAXE
New member
So I installed mine this evening and it was a nice little project. All you need is a 14mm socket, I used both a 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive. As previously mentioned do one at a time, and it's a breeze. Unbolt one front at a time and slide the bushing up the sway bar where it can be removed. Rears are "greaseless" and the fronts got a good coat of the provided black grease. Now for the juice,
The TRD PRO has the softest suspension and I would guess the most body roll. I know it rolls more than the SR5 I had for 2000 miles before the dealer jacked up the paint and bought it back.
After installing all four of these on my PRO I took a ride to the store for some suds. My hood now stays flat around normal neighborhood turns and I was able to catch a hard left through a familiar intersection with WAY less body roll. These made a significant difference in the handling characteristics of my truck and for under $40 shipped it was money well spent.
[MENTION=75965]schar[/MENTION]fschutze Thanks for posting about these.
The TRD PRO has the softest suspension and I would guess the most body roll. I know it rolls more than the SR5 I had for 2000 miles before the dealer jacked up the paint and bought it back.
After installing all four of these on my PRO I took a ride to the store for some suds. My hood now stays flat around normal neighborhood turns and I was able to catch a hard left through a familiar intersection with WAY less body roll. These made a significant difference in the handling characteristics of my truck and for under $40 shipped it was money well spent.
[MENTION=75965]schar[/MENTION]fschutze Thanks for posting about these.
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oljedi11950
New member
Got mine today so the wknd project ! ^ What he said !
Scharfschütze
New member
Well, I installed my rear bushings this morning and drove to work.
Turning is much flatter but no more NVH or harshness! I am loaded down for camping tonight (250lbs) and I still feel it. I can't wait to try it with no load. The rear comes around much flatter now and it feels good, the way it should have been from the factory.
Turning is much flatter but no more NVH or harshness! I am loaded down for camping tonight (250lbs) and I still feel it. I can't wait to try it with no load. The rear comes around much flatter now and it feels good, the way it should have been from the factory.
Scharfschütze
New member
Well after 2 full days of wheeling, some loaded down fully and some partial load and an hour drive both ways loaded, I can honelstly say I love the bushings and it is $42 bucks well spent. This morning on the way to work I got to fully test unloaded cornering and it is MUCH better than OEM was. My oem bushings were in great shape and I am confidant that this is not the effect of just getting better bushings back in, my truck has 34k on them.
Hope this post helps other get their suspension performing as best it can be!
Hope this post helps other get their suspension performing as best it can be!
oljedi11950
New member
This is probably the kiss of but did mine just now & drove around the block hit some speed bumps , gutters & noticed something & this is something I've had since installing 51s sway bar clunk , as of now no clunk nothing scientific you understand just my 4r as of right now ! An unexpected upgrade for sure .:redface: fingers crossed ......will report further !:closed_2:
