Sway bar end link bushings question

[RadRunner]

I was staring at my truck undercarrage the other day and noticed that my sway bar end link bushns need to be replaced. So I went on over to advanced auto and picked up this Polyurethane Sway Bar End Link Set; 2-5/8" Spacer Length; 2 Per Set - Red by Energy Suspension - part# 9.8117R
Now when I picked it up the man that worked there said it was universal. I looked under the runner and the front swaybar endlink is different then the kit. I had already bought it so I just used the bushings. Installed the front might install the rears later today. My question is that if this kit is the proper kit or I should get my money back and buy one for my truck. I used the most important part the bushings but the hardware which is a bit beefier can not be used because how the bottom is on the endlink.
<a href="http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af166/99RadRunner/?action=view&current=102_1799.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af166/99RadRunner/102_1799.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

This piece at the bottom is what is causing the kit not to fit.
<a href="http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af166/99RadRunner/?action=view&current=102_1803.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af166/99RadRunner/102_1803.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[theizzardking]

honestly that looks fine to me, it may not be perfect but looks fine,
question do you have a lift on your ride? it could be that it has nothing to do with the new bushings but more so do to with you end links being to short in general, and those ES bushing are universal same as the sway bar D shaped bushing you can pretty much go into any flaps and snag one of those for $20 and it would be the same part number you'd order from ES as well.

from my understanding the only part you didn't use from the new kit is the lower washer right? if that's the case and you just kept the stock one thats fine as well, nothing wrong with the stock lower washer in there...


i swapped mine out with the same ones but black and -g part number on the end (meaning graphite impregnated) as they tend to squeak less and did the same as you reused alot of the stock hardware.

 

[durrell]

I bought the Moog end links and they swapped right in. Plus, they're greasable. My stock end links were completely shot.

 

[Elton H]

anyone happen to know what i need for the center ones when i had my tranny out i notice there totally shot also id like to put my rear sway bar back on cause im getting tired of pulling the tire off the ground when i pull out to fast

 

[theizzardking]

anyone happen to know what i need for the center ones when i had my tranny out i notice there totally shot also id like to put my rear sway bar back on cause im getting tired of pulling the tire off the ground when i pull out to fast

the bushings are from ES parts numbers
# 9-5165-G, 1 1/4" greasable sway bar bushings, black
# 9-5161-G, 1" greasable sway bar bushings, black

here's the info
http://www.geocities.ws/jalaber4r/handling.html

 

[theizzardking]

another good one

Mertztr's Front Sway Bar/End Link Bushing Replacement 3rd Gen 4Runner

but i prefer ja's site, personally

 

[4dailyRunner]

Question

:roadkill:


Question: Is there a way to know these need to be replaced without looking?

 

[theizzardking]

:roadkill:


Question: Is there a way to know these need to be replaced without looking?

uumm no not really, and by these do you mean sway bar or end links? end links should be easy because they are like right there, just look behind the wheel, ans see if they are cracked and overly compressed..
and i would say and easy way to test if your sway bar bushings are still good is to disconnect your sway bar from the end links on both sides and simply grab the sway bar and rotate it up and down, if it feels really loose time to switch out the D-bushings on the sway bar if you can tilt it forward or slide it up (depends on how yuo look at it) and then it starts to fall back down on it's own get the new bushings, also if they are messed up as per standard bushing inspection i.e. cracked,dry,over compressed, ect ect ect

 

[theizzardking]

basically all of these bushings together cost around 40-50 bucks depending,
you will notice a slight improvement from replacing these but it won't be worlds different, so just trying to tell by the seat of your pants will be next to impossible, esp if you have been driving your truck for ages, that said, i do feel that cost to improvement ratio is great, they are cheap parts and you will notice a slight difference, so why not eh?

 

[RadRunner]

basically all of these bushings together cost around 40-50 bucks depending,
you will notice a slight improvement from replacing these but it won't be worlds different, so just trying to tell by the seat of your pants will be next to impossible, esp if you have been driving your truck for ages, that said, i do feel that cost to improvement ratio is great, they are cheap parts and you will notice a slight difference, so why not eh?

I agree, I spent 20 bucks on polyurethane endlink bushings for fronts and rear. I just finished installing the ones in the rear, makes it a bit better in turns, and feels somewhat solid.Going to do the inner busshings then blistein shoxx.:frog:

 

[rjaudi]

Those are the wrong sizes. The factory front sway bar is 1 inch and the rear bar is 3/4 inch.

 

[durrell]

I hope your sway bar bushing replacement goes better than mine did. The brackets were rusted on, so I had a time with it. Ended up having to add a nut on the passenger's side to get it to clamp enough to stay in place. Works fine now, though.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Has anyone had any luck with "extended" end links for a 3rd gen?

I think the stock are too short once you add 3" inches of lift. I have been driving without a front sway bar but would like to add it back.

 

[J.A.]

the bushings are from ES parts numbers
# 9-5165-G, 1 1/4" greasable sway bar bushings, black
# 9-5161-G, 1" greasable sway bar bushings, black

here's the info
J.A.'s 1999 Toyota 4Runner Highlander - Additions and Modifications

Wow, a really really old version of my original website. :shrug:

Guys, please note the part numbers referenced above are not for a factory setup, they are for the heavy duty Addco replacement bars.

OP, you will be fine with the bushings you bought, here is a pic of my similar application...

 

[Stick Figure]

Has anyone had any luck with "extended" end links for a 3rd gen?

I think the stock are too short once you add 3" inches of lift. I have been driving without a front sway bar but would like to add it back.

If you want to drive a little bit north we can always try a custom set out ...

either do a set like the ones i did here (minus the quick disconnect)

Or we could do a screw on adapter to the stocks, but even i broke the stock ones and i wasn't doing anything crazy off road by any means.

 

[bikerjosh]

If you want to drive a little bit north we can always try a custom set out ...

either do a set like the ones i did here (minus the quick disconnect)

Or we could do a screw on adapter to the stocks, but even i broke the stock ones and i wasn't doing anything crazy off road by any means.

Wow, got some more info on those? Like cost, build specs etc? I just broke one of my fronts and bent the other on Mojave Rd. should have just unbolted them, but forgot. I was using the marlin(sp?) nylon blocks on the center supports.
thanks josh