Sway Bar Bushings

[LexusSoarer]

Hey guys, I know I need some new Sway Bar Bushings. I never do this kind of work, but it looks fairly easy. First of all I was wondering what kind of bushing you guys might recommend? I've heard some materials squeak more than others, some don't last as long... And maybe if there is an online tutorial for the install, or I might not even need one. Thanks for any help.

 

[One_96TR4]

It's a fairly straight forward replacement, I just did mine and it took about 40min. I got the bushings from the dealer because I couldn't find them anywhere else. I think there are a few polyeurothane bushings available online somewhere. You might want to grab some new swaybar endlinks while your at it.

 

[R34skylne]

got mine from the dealership in stalled in about 20 min. No noise from them after that. couldnt find anyaftermarket ones.

 

[motorheadwannab]

energysuspension.com they are great I love their products, fair prices as well.

 

[LexusSoarer]

So I replaced the bushings last night. They were only $9 each at the dealer, cheaper than I saw them a couple places online. But when I went to replace the bushing, nut and washer on the left side of the sway bar (since they weren't there), I found that the top of that smaller bar/bolt had broken off so I need to replace the whole thing. Since it was occasionally catching the sway bar and making a loud popping noise, I removed it completely. So I'm curious how unsafe it is to drive with that off, or if it will cause more damage somewhere? Or if it's just putting more stress on the bushing that connects to the frame? I've been driving on it like that for the last couple months without realizing it anyway. But since that part is going to cost me another $96, I just want to know how urgent it is to change. Thanks for any info.

 

[bflooks]

i have one i can sell to you for $50 plus shipping if you want. it is about 3 months old.

by having a broken sway bar end link, you are pretty much running the front without a swaybar. both sides need to be attached for it to operate properly. you have probably noticed a bit of body lean/roll in the corners since it broke.

how unsafe? i run without either sway bar even on the truck anymore. you just have to take it easy on the turns. lee does the same. however, if you are just daily driving it, and not worried about a little extra flex, then it probably isn't a bad idea to do it.

 

[LexusSoarer]

Thanks for the help. I talked to a mechanic friend, he pretty much said the same thing. It was his shop that skipped over it when I bought the car and got it checked out, so he said he might be able to help out with it. So we'll see about that part. I'm not in a big hurry to spend the money on that sense it's not so urgent though. But again, thanks. This forum is really helpfull.